Blessing Of Snow

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was not in an enviable posistion on Saturday.  Needing to choose a Game 3 starter, his first choice, rookie left-hander J.A. Happ, who had missed bats all year to the tune of a 2.93 ERA, was injured, having taken a line drive off the shin during Thursday's Game 2.  His second choice, righty Joe Blanton had been used in relief of Cole Hamels in Game 2.  In a stroke of desperation, Manuel was forced to turn to veteran Pedro Martinez for the crucial start.

            But luckily for the Phillies, God was a Phillies fan on Saturday.  A Snowstorm pushed Game 3 to Sunday night.  This  decision benefits the Phillies immensely.

            The unscheduled off day gave Happ an extra day to recover, and he's been announced as the starter for tonight.  Also, the extra day puts the starters from Games 1 and 2, Cliff Lee and Hamels, back on normal rest.  This would theoretically allow Lee to pitch Game 4 on Monday.  Long story short, if Happ beats Colorado tonight, Lee will shut them down again Monday, and the Phillies will get an NLCS rematch with the Dodgers.

Now I envy Manuel.