| Charlie Manuel: Blanton to start Game 4 for Phillies |
| Updated 10/30/2009 8:17 PM ET |
Joe Blanton will pitch Game 4 of the World Series for the Philadelphia Phillies, manager Charlie Manuel announced.
Manuel said he was leery of Lee's season-long workload coupled with the fact he'd not pitched previously on three days rest.
Blanton, 12-8 with a 4.05 ERA this season, beat Tampa Bay with six innings of four-hit, two-run ball in last year's World Series.
Lee pitched 231 2/3 innings during the regular season, the fifth-highest total in the majors.
"I don't think he's ready on three days rest," Manuel said. "Plus, if it goes seven days, he'd really be on his bullpen day and available to pitch."
Lee beat Sabathia 6-1 in Game 1 of the World Series. Sabathia is expected to pitch Game 4 for the Yankees.
Blanton started Game 4 against Tampa Bay last year and combined with four relievers on a five-hitter in a 10-2 win that gave the Phillies a 3-1 Series lead. Blanton homered off Edwin Jackson (FSY) in that one, the first Series home run by a pitcher since Oakland's Ken Holtzman in 1974.
Blanton got a no-decision in his only postseason start, allowing three earned runs over six innings in Game 4 of the NL championship series against the Dodgers. He made two relief appearances against Colorado in the first round.
The right-hander is 0-3 with an 8.18 ERA in four career starts against the Yankees. He has allowed 22 hits, including five homers, and 12 walks in 22 innings.
Eric Hinske (FSY), 4 for 18 (.222) with two doubles and two homers against Blanton, could play right field for New York in Game 4 over slumping Nick Swisher (FSY) (1 for 3 against Blanton).
Mark Teixeira (FSY) is 9 for 27 with three homers off Blanton, and Alex Rodriguez (FSY) is 4 for 7 with two homers.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report
| Posted 10/30/2009 3:52 PM ET | |
| Updated 10/30/2009 8:17 PM ET | |
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