Charlie Manuel surprised nobody on Sunday,announcing that Cliff Lee will start Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday night, against either the Yankees or the Angels. Lee has been everything the Phillies hoped he would be and then some this postseason, going 2-0 with an 0.74 ERA and 0.70 WHIP over three starts.
But what was more telling was what he didn’t say. Manuel refused to commit to Cole Hamels for the Game 2 assignment. After compiling a 4.32 ERA and 1.29 WHIP during the regular season, last year’s World Series MVP has a 6.75 ERA over three starts in the 2009 postseason. He has served up an alarming six home runs in 14 2/3 innings.
Though Manuel continues to hedge, Pedro Martinez is a real possibility to start Game 2. Asked who he would rather face in the World Series,it wasn’t hard for him to reveal his preference.“I respect the Yankees. I love the Yankees. But I would love to beat them as bad as I look forward to them,” Martinez said.
Reminded of his long history with the Yankees, Martinez smiled and said: “Really? They have a long history with me.”
