Miguel Cairo, Antonio Bastardo, Kyle Kendrick make cut
Charlie Manuel had some decisions to make when trimming down his post-season roster. Some decisions raised a few eye brows while some were seen form a mile away.
Perhaps the most notable name not found on the post season roster is reliever Tyler Walker. For a bullpen that is as worn down as the Phillies bullpen Walker may have been a good arm to have. Some poor outings down the final stretch of the regular season likely decreased Walker's chances to play post season ball, at least in the NLDS.
Also not making the playoff roster, likely confirming that he is not as healthy as the team had hoped for at this time, is Clay Condrey. An un-sung hero in the bullpen in 2008, Condrey battled through some injuries in the 2009 season. Condrey was looked upon early in the season to fill in some roles that he would not normally be called for out of the bullpen as injuries decimated the bullpen most of the year.
The bullpen, minus the early game additions of Joe Blanton, Pedro Martinez, and JA Happ, will see a couple young arms that will hopefully be ready to step up on the big mound if and when called upon. Kyle Kendrick returns to the playoffs, hopefully bringing a happy ending to his 2009 season and he could play an important role. Kendrick has shown improvement since being recalled by the Phillies from Triple A. Kendrick has been helped by the addition of a new pitch to his repertoire and he seems to have more confidence on the mound. This was a crutch for Kendrick over the past couple of seasons. Kendrick was the Phillies' game two starter in the 2007 NLDS, a game he, like many Phillies fans, probably would like to forget.
Antonio Bastardo also made the final cut for October. The rookie had a pair of nice starts back in June on the road at San Diego and Los Angeles, but his home debut against Boston was not a fond memory. after a decent outing against Baltimore and a poor outing against Tampa Bay Bastardo was sent to the injury list and did not return until last weekend. Eligible for the post season roster, Bastardo adds another left handed reliever to the bullpen, which will be needed with the loss of J.C. Romero. But how will Bastardo handle the pressure of a big post season situation?
Offensively the Phillies will go with infielder Miguel Cairo off the bench rather than Eric Bruntlett. Cairo spent most of the season at triple A Lehigh Valley but Bruntlett's bat was too anemic for Manuel to stick with in the post season. Bruntlett had value as a utility infielder but his importance was diminished this season with the addition of Raul Ibanez. Bruntlett would often replace Pat Burrell in late game situations last season, either for speed in the outfield or on the base path. That is no longer a dire need for the Phillies.
The roster on the left side of the site has been updated to reflect the post season roster.
Original Story:
http://macho-row.blogspot.com/2009/10...
Charlie Manuel had some decisions to make when trimming down his post-season roster. Some decisions raised a few eye brows while some were seen form a mile away.Perhaps the most notable name not found on the post season roster is reliever Tyler Walker. For a bullpen that is as worn down as the Phillies bullpen Walker may have been a good arm to have. Some poor outings down the final stretch of the regular season likely decreased Walker's chances to play post season ball, at least in the NLDS.
Also not making the playoff roster, likely confirming that he is not as healthy as the team had hoped for at this time, is Clay Condrey. An un-sung hero in the bullpen in 2008, Condrey battled through some injuries in the 2009 season. Condrey was looked upon early in the season to fill in some roles that he would not normally be called for out of the bullpen as injuries decimated the bullpen most of the year.
The bullpen, minus the early game additions of Joe Blanton, Pedro Martinez, and JA Happ, will see a couple young arms that will hopefully be ready to step up on the big mound if and when called upon. Kyle Kendrick returns to the playoffs, hopefully bringing a happy ending to his 2009 season and he could play an important role. Kendrick has shown improvement since being recalled by the Phillies from Triple A. Kendrick has been helped by the addition of a new pitch to his repertoire and he seems to have more confidence on the mound. This was a crutch for Kendrick over the past couple of seasons. Kendrick was the Phillies' game two starter in the 2007 NLDS, a game he, like many Phillies fans, probably would like to forget.
Antonio Bastardo also made the final cut for October. The rookie had a pair of nice starts back in June on the road at San Diego and Los Angeles, but his home debut against Boston was not a fond memory. after a decent outing against Baltimore and a poor outing against Tampa Bay Bastardo was sent to the injury list and did not return until last weekend. Eligible for the post season roster, Bastardo adds another left handed reliever to the bullpen, which will be needed with the loss of J.C. Romero. But how will Bastardo handle the pressure of a big post season situation?
Offensively the Phillies will go with infielder Miguel Cairo off the bench rather than Eric Bruntlett. Cairo spent most of the season at triple A Lehigh Valley but Bruntlett's bat was too anemic for Manuel to stick with in the post season. Bruntlett had value as a utility infielder but his importance was diminished this season with the addition of Raul Ibanez. Bruntlett would often replace Pat Burrell in late game situations last season, either for speed in the outfield or on the base path. That is no longer a dire need for the Phillies.
The roster on the left side of the site has been updated to reflect the post season roster.
Original Story:
http://macho-row.blogspot.com/2009/10...
