Phillies NLDS Roster Offers Few Surprises
October 6th, 2009 by MattTodd Zolecki has the details on the roster that Charlie Manuel will use for the NLDS series against the Rockies that starts tomorrow at Citizens Bank Park:
The roster is:
CATCHERS (2): Carlos Ruiz, Paul Bako.
INFIELDERS (6): Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Pedro Feliz, Jimmy Rollins, Greg Dobbs, Cairo.
OUTFIELD (5): Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Ben Francisco, Matt Stairs.
PITCHERS (12): Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ, Pedro Martinez, Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, Brett Myers, Scott Eyre, Chad Durbin, Kendrick, Bastardo.
No Eric Bruntlett surprised Zolecki, but I just don’t see how to reserve a spot for a guy who is a no-hit, decent fielding guy with plus speed. He’s not exactly Michael Bourn. Were he that fast, Bruntlett may have made the roster regardless of his atrocious batting average.
Kyle Kendrick’s inclusion over Clay Condrey is not big surprise either, considering Condrey’s limited innings over the last couple of months, as well as Kendrick’s impressive work since his call-up. I have been down on Kendrick since late last year, but it’s time to give the guy his props. He went to AAA and took it like a pro, worked on his secondary pitches, and came back up with a renewed sense of purpose. He actually seems to have a plan on the mound, which was lacking last year and this past postseason.
Lastly, Charlie had to carry another lefty. Bastardo is probably the best option of those he could choose from. I can’t imagine Charlie going to Bastardo in a spot requiring clutch, shut down pitching, but I suppose that Manuel wouldn’t be wasting the roster spot on a guy he couldn’t plug in if he had to.
Tim Kurkjian of ESPN says Phillies in 5. We like Tim.
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports says Rockies in five. We think Ken is a dick.
I am saying Phillies in four. Lee and Hamels come up big, give the Phils 7 strong innings each, and the Phils bats, including Chase Utley’s, come alive.


