Could Game 7 be a bullpen day for Phillies?

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

If the World Series goes to seven games, the Philadelphia Phillies might put the fate of their season into the hands of their bullpen.

After sleeping on vision of Cole Hamels’ implosion in Game 3, Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel retreated from his support of Hamels. Here are his answers to an identical question: Would you have any hesitation about starting Hamels in Game 7?

-- ‘I wouldn’t hesitate to start him,’ Manuel said after Game 3.

-- ‘I’ve got a lot of time to think about things, and I’m focused on today,’ Manuel said this afternoon.

That could leave the Phillies starting J.A. Happ in Game 7, scheduled Nov. 5. Happ has not pitched more than three innings since Sept. 29.

Hamels, last year’s World Series MVP, probably did not help himself when he said this to a CBS Sports reporter after last night’s game, in summing up his draining and disappointing season: ‘I can’t wait for it to end.’

-- Bill Shaikin