Results tagged ‘ Rich Dubee ’
Use Pap or Not?
I have received lots of questions about Jonathan Papelbon since yesterday’s 5-4 loss to Pittsburgh.
The Phillies lost two consecutive games on walk-offs, and the Phillies did not use Papelbon either time. Fans want to know why the Phillies didn’t use him. The reason is simple: managers do not like to use their closer in tie games on the road. Charlie Manuel doesn’t. Larry Bowa didn’t. Honestly, if you can find a manager that regularly uses his closer in tie games on the road please let me know. I know that answer isn’t going to be satisfactory for many, but managers want their closer pitching in save situations. Use your closer in a tie game one night then maybe he’s not available the next night when you have a save situation. Think about it that way, too. You can’t pitch the guy every day.
Now, Rich Dubee said he thought about having Papelbon pitch in Saturday’s game, but only because he didn’t want Papelbon warming up several times during the night (think about what happened to Brad Lidge in the 2008 All-Star Game … not good).
“How many times am I going to crank Pap up?” Dubee said.
But why didn’t the Phillies use Papelbon with two outs in the eighth inning yesterday? The Phillies had a one-run lead, so it was a save situation. Papelbon has pitched more than an inning in a save situation 39 times in his career. He has pitched one or fewer innings in a save situation 210 times.
He is 2-1 with a 2.09 ERA and 31 saves (79.5 percent) when he pitches more than an inning.
He is 2-11 with a 2.52 ERA and 189 saves (90 percent) when he pitches one or fewer innings.
“It’s a little early,” Dubee said. “You want me to run him out there 162 games? It’s hard. You’ve got nobody else to close the game. If you had somebody with experience closing the game, if you had (Jose) Contreras, then you might think about doing it.”
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Jim Salisbury and I co-authored the book The Rotation, which is now available. Check it out here!
Here are our upcoming book signings:
- April 26: Barnes & Noble in Marlton, NJ, 7 p.m.
- May 10: Tredyfrrin Public Library in Stafford, PA, 7:30 p.m.
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Stutes Scratched
The Phillies scratched right-hander Mike Stutes from his scheduled appearance tomorrow in New York because of a shoulder issue.
Said Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee: “A little inflammation. We don’t think it’s anything major. We’ll give him a little time off. He’s had eight or nine outings down here.”
Said Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock: “It’s nothing serious.”
He said no MRI is scheduled.
Dubee mentioned Stutues’ nine Grapefruit League appearances, implying if Stutes misses a few days he could still be ready for Opening Day next Thursday.
You figure Stutes is penciled in for one of the six spots in the bullpen, if the Phillies have everybody healthy and carry just 11 pitchers into the season. But things get a little crazy if Stutes is unable to open the season and Jose Contreras, who is still throwing in Minor League spring training games, is unable to open the season. Add Antonio Bastardo‘s lack of velocity and the Phillies’ bullpen situation is less settled than they’d like it to be.
“There’s nothing wrong with him,” Proefrock said about Bastardo.
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Jim Salisbury and I co-authored the book The Rotation, which is now available. Check it out here!
Here are our upcoming book signings:
- April 2: Barnes & Noble in Plymouth Meeting, PA, 7 p.m.
- April 3: Chester County Book Company in West Chester, PA, 7 p.m.
- April 26: Barnes & Noble in Marlton, NJ, 7 p.m.
Doc Gets Opening Day, Hamels Gets Home Opener
We asked nicely today, so Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee revealed his rotation to open the 2012 season:
- April 5 in Pittsburgh: Roy Halladay
- April 7 in Pittsburgh: Cliff Lee
- April 8 in Pittsburgh: Vance Worley
- April 9 vs. Miami: Cole Hamels
Dubee explained.
“Cole has had more experience,” said Dubee, asked why Hamels gets the home opener. “Hell, he’s pitched in the World Series. The big flag is out there. Not that Vance can’t handle it, but it’s a little bit of a hectic day. Any of our guys deserve to pitch the home opener or the opener of the season. This way it lines up where Cole gets it. It splits our lefties. It doesn’t put Vance in that situation. Cole is more accustomed to pitching with a lot of hoopla around.”
It is unclear when Joe Blanton would pitch, but because of two off days between the season opener April 5 and the fifth game of the season April 11, it is likely Halladay pitches April 11.
“I don’t think we’re going to let Doc sit around for seven or eight days,” Dubee said. “That’s too much.”
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Jim Salisbury and I co-authored the book The Rotation, which is now available. Check it out here!
Here are our upcoming book signings:
- April 2: Barnes & Noble in Plymouth Meeting, PA, 7 p.m.
- April 3: Chester County Book Company in West Chester, PA, 7 p.m.
- April 26: Barnes & Noble in Marlton, NJ, 7 p.m.
Willis Struggles, Has Sore Arm
This is not how Dontrelle Willis wanted to open Spring Training with the Phillies.
He allowed three hits, four runs and two walks in just 2/3 inning today in a 10-3 loss to the Astros. He said afterward he has some soreness in his left arm, although he does not believe it is serious.
“My arm just felt fatigued out there today,” said Willis, who has allowed four runs in just 1 2/3 innings in two Grapefruit League appearances. “I need to go out there and battle and make better pitches. But I’ll be all right. I just need a day. I’m really frustrated with my location, but if you’re tired, you’re tired. That’s the bottom line.”
A good spring is important for Willis, who is fighting for a bullpen job. Theoretically, Willis might have an advantage over other pitchers in camp because he is a veteran left-hander, but he does not have a guaranteed contract like Chad Qualls, Jose Contreras or Kyle Kendrick, so the Phillies do not need to give him a chance at the beginning of the season if they do not feel he can help the team.
If Willis makes the team it likely will be as a left-handed specialist. Lefties are 1-for-3 against him this spring, while right-handers are 4-for-7 with three walks.
“We’re going to take the best team possible,” Rich Dubee said. “Again, I don’t see any reason to have a second lefty if he’s not better than the righty before him. If he can’t get anybody out, what kind of look is that? Really. What kind of look is it? The fact of the matter is how servicable are they? That’s what we’re looking for. How do they fit in the mixer of the whole bullpen? I don’t care if he’s lefty or righty, who is the most effective guy?”
Willis said he isn’t concerned, but he knows he needs to do better.
“I was just horse—- today,” Willis said. “You take that for what it is, but you have to be smart about it, too. I’m trying to help the ballclub here and that’s not going to get it done. If I’m tired, then I’m tired. As an athlete, you have to humble yourself that hey, you went out there and tried and now let’s reel you in and get you right.”
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Jim Salisbury and I co-authored the book The Rotation, which is now available. Check it out here!
Here are our upcoming book signings:
- April 2: Barnes & Noble in Plymouth Meeting, PA, 7 p.m.
- April 3: Chester County Book Company in West Chester, PA, 7 p.m.
- April 26: Barnes & Noble in Marlton, NJ, 7 p.m.
Short Rest? Dubee Isn’t a Fan
Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter lasted just three innings in Game 2 of the National League Division Series.
It was his first time pitching on short rest. It showed.
Since the Phillies won their first of five consecutive National League East championships in 2007, Rich Dubee has been asked if he would bring back a pitcher on short rest. He got asked about Cole Hamels in 2007, when the Phillies fell behind the Colorado Rockies in the NLDS. He got asked about Cliff Lee in the 2009 World Series and Roy Halladay in the 2010 NLCS.
Asked if there would be any reason to pitch a starter on short rest this postseason, Dubee said, “I don’t think so. I’ve got confidence with every guy we’ve got out there.”
Not that Dubee will never do it, but he’s not a fan of it.
“Most real good players at this level get accustomed to a routine,” Dubee said. “Apparently that was Carpenter’s first whack at it. That’s a strange beast right there. You’re going from your normal side day. Then you’re third day generally you can kick back and relax mentally. The fourth day you get ready to pitch. Now all of a sudden you probably didn’t have a side day and you have shorter rest and shorter preparation time.”
It would not be wrong to say it is as challenging mentally as it is physically.
“I think it turns into a physical thing, but I think it’s more mental to begin with,” Dubee said. “I think all of a sudden, more often than not guys convince themselves they’re not 100 percent, that way they do different stuff.”
Halladay “Absolutely” Will Make Next Start
Roy Halladay once compared himself to a robot on the mound, so I never expected to see him leave a game because of the heat.
But it was brutally hot tonight at Wrigley Field.
Halladay was unavailable to comment after the game, but he told a team spokesman he “absolutely” plans to make his next start Sunday against the Padres at Citizens Bank Park. Here is some of what Rich Dubee said:
- “You could tell the heat was getting to him a little bit. I talked to him after the fourth and he said he was somewhat lightheaded, but he wanted to go back out there. Of course, he went out there in the fifth and just had a tough time staying focused and seeing the signs. He was dehydrated and he’s doing much better now.”
- “When he stepped off a couple times I knew something was up because he usually works at such a great tempo.”
- “He’s doing much, much better.”
- “I asked him (after the fourth). I said, ‘Can you go on? Do you want to go on?’ He said, ‘Yeah, I want to go back out there.’”
- “He’s probably the last guy you’d expect something like this, but that’s what Mother Nature can do to you. It was awful hot. I’m not making excuses, but … guys that go to the All-Star Game – you’ve got have the All-Star Game, I understand that – but guys that go to the All-Star Game, they come back a little drawn. It’s a busy three days. For that first week back, guys generally don’t respond too well. It’s just a hectic schedule. They fly out there, different time zones. You’ve got banquets. You’ve got whatever. And there’s a lot to it. This guy takes tremendous care of himself. He’s doing better now and that’s what we’re hoping for.”
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Let’s Get Going
The second half of the 2011 season starts tonight with Vance Worley.
It continues this weekend with Cole Hamels and Kyle Kendrick.
It will be interesting to ask Charlie Manuel or Rich Dubee this afternoon if Cliff Lee would have pitched Sunday against the Mets had he not pitched Tuesday in the All-Star Game. I say that because before the break Dubee announced Worley would pitch Friday and Hamels would pitch Saturday. He left Sunday’s starter TBA, indicating they wanted to see what happened at the All-Star Game.
But Lee pitched and so now Roy Halladay (Monday) and Lee (Tuesday) are pitching next week against the Cubs. I know fans wanted to see Halladay or Lee face the Mets, but I don’t have a problem with this. Dubee wants to squeeze an extra day or inning of rest wherever and whenever possible for Halladay, Lee and Hamels. They’ve pitched a lot of innings. In a perfect world the offense continues to hit so Halladay, Lee and Hamels aren’t pitching in 2-1, 3-2, 1-0 games every time out. If the offense can give them some 6-1, 5-1, 7-2 leads, you would think Manuel and Dubee would pull Halladay, Lee and Hamels in the eighth instead of the ninth, or the seventh instead of the eighth. Those innings and days can add up and keep them fresher come October.
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The Phillies took optional BP yesterday at Citizens Bank Park. Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, Domonic Brown, John
Mayberry Jr., Ross Gload, Brian Schneider, Michael Martinez and Lee participated. Yes, Lee showed up to take optional BP.
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Will be interesting to see how Placido Polanco‘s back is feeling. He has not played since July 4.
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Will be interesting to see how Ryan Madson is doing. He made a rehab appearance for Class A Clearwater on Wednesday. He struck out one and hit a batter in one inning. Dubee, who lives in nearby Sarasota, watched him pitch.
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Injury Updates from Toronto
Greetings from Toronto.
A few injury updates for everybody:
- Cole Hamels (bruised right hand) played catch this morning at Rogers Centre. He said he felt much better. “I’m good,” he said, flexing and moving his right hand to show the improvement. Hamels said he plans to throw a bullpen session tomorrow and make his scheduled start Tuesday in Florida. He said he normally would have thrown a bullpen session today, but the Phillies pushed it back to give the hand a chance to heal.
- Ryan Madson (bruised right hand) played catch this morning. Rich Dubee said it went well. But because Madson has not pitched since June 18 there is a good chance he will need to make a rehab assignment before he is activated. So he won’t be activated Monday, when he is first eligible.
- Roy Oswalt (lower back inflammation) received a second opinion on his back Friday in Dallas. The Phillies said spine surgeon Andrew Dossett concurred with the Phillies’ diagnosis: Oswalt has mild bulging discs in his back. Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said Oswalt will continue his prescribed treatment, which involves injections. “He should be able to begin tossing shortly there after,” Proefrock said. Ruben Amaro Jr. said last week he thinks there’s a chance Oswalt pitches before the end of the month.
- Brad Lidge (strained right rotator cuff) threw a bullpen session yesterday in Reading. He could begin a rehab assignment early next week.
- Joe Blanton (right elbow inflammation) is playing catch today, but has not thrown off a mound.
- Jose Contreras (strained right forearm) is “progressing.”
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Kendrick, Halladay to Pitch Doubleheader
Rich Dubee confirmed Kyle Kendrick and Roy Halladay will pitch Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Florida Marlins.
Halladay will pitch the night game.
Here’s how the rotation lines up for the moment:
- Tuesday vs. Florida: Cole Hamels
- Wednesday vs. Florida (Game 1): Kyle Kendrick
- Wednesday vs. Florida (Game 2): Roy Halladay
- Thursday vs. Florida: Cliff Lee
- Friday at Seattle: Roy Oswalt
- Saturday at Seattle: TBA
- Sunday at Seattle: Hamels
It sure looks like Vance Worley lines up to pitch Saturday, although Dubee would not confirm that. The Phillies will need to make a roster move, of course. David Herndon could be optioned to make room for Worley. Kendrick could then return to his bullpen role. But stayed tuned on that …
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Kendrick to Start Saturday in Pittsburgh
The Phillies said earlier today Kyle Kendrick will start Saturday in Pittsburgh.
They had a spot available after optioning Vance Worley to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Because of a day off Thursday, the Phillies could have pushed their starters up a day and still had them pitch on normal rest, but in a long season Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee wants to give his starters an extra day to rest whenever possible.
Roy Halladay (91 1/3 innings), Cole Hamels (74 2/3 innings) and Cliff Lee (74 2/3 innings) entered tonight’s game against the Nationals ranked in the top 10 in the league in innings pitched.
Kendrick said he thinks he can throw at least 65 pitches Saturday. He is 1-1 with a 5.63 ERA in two starts this season. He threw five scoreless innings May 7 against Atlanta and allowed five runs in three innings May 19 against Colorado, when Joe Blanton learned he could not pitch because of an injured elbow roughly 20 minutes before the game.
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Todd Zolecki
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