Manuel Calls the Shots, Next Question

The primary benefit of starting Lee on short rest was that he could also start a Game 7. Instead, Cole Hamels, who imploded on the Phillies’ 8-5 loss in Game 3, is on schedule to pitch.

“I look at that, if he business Inflatable Castle
can do it for three innings, why can’t he keep going?” Manuel said, referring to Hamels, who recorded 10 outs against the first 22 batters he faced. “That’s kinds of how I look at it.”

Manuel’s masterly touch has won him the players’ — and the city’s — trust. When the Phillies passed over Jim Leyland to hire Manuel after the 2004 season, fans reacted with a mixture of surprise and confusion. They were unsure why a folksy man from rural Virginia was the right choice to manage in an unforgiving town.

Five years later, Manuel ranks among the best managers or coaches ever to work here. His composure and calm demeanor have rebooted the city’s mind-set. He remained serene even during the 48-hour rain delay, viewed as a bad omen, in Game 5 of last year’s World Series. So did his players. So did Philadelphia.

As the bullpen combust this to buy Inflatable Bounce
season, as Brad Lidge blew save after save, Manuel stayed cool. Twice this postseason he was challenged for starting Pedro Martinez after long layoffs. Each time, Martinez silenced the skeptics.

“Charlie doesn’t panic,” said shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who added, “We know whoever we put out there on the mound or in the field, we believe he’s going to make an impact.”

“I think you just prepare like it’s another game, honestly,” Blanton said. “Which, I mean, it is, it’s another game. It’s an big game, but it’s another game.”

That is also how Boston Manager Jimy Williams approached Game 4 of the 1998 American League division series against Cleveland. With the Red Sox facing elimination, he resisted temptation and tempted public resistance by starting Pete Schourek and not Martinez, his ace, on short rest.

“I wanted to pitch, I really did,” Martinez said after Saturday’s loss. “But I never got that chance. None of us thought we’d be swept.”

In deciding to start Blanton, Manuel saw a durable, fearless pitcher who led the team with 21 quality starts, who pitched six solid innings last year in a Game 4 rout. He looked past Blanton’s 0-3 record and 8.18 earned run average against the Yankees, past his struggles against Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez, who are a combined 17 for 46 with 6 homers. Manuel had seen Blanton dominate, and believed he could do it again.

As it happened, Schourek pitched five and a third scoreless innings to put Boston in position to win, but the bullpen blew a lead and the Red Sox were ousted. In the visiting dugout at Fenway Park that night, Manuel celebrated. He was the Indians’ hitting coach, far removed from the pitching maneuverings.

Now in charge of them, Manuel trusts his instincts. They told him to go with Blanton, and now a restless city awaits.