Charlie Manuel Making Big Mistake

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Phillies manager Charlie Manuel is a smart man.  You don't win a World Series championship one year and then be on the brink of winning another one the very next season without being smart.

He, clearly, knows what it takes to win a title.

But this decision to start Joe Blanton in Game 4 makes no sense to me.  None.

Blanton's a solid pitcher...don't get me wrong.  However, you are facing one of the...check that...the best offense in baseball other than your own.  The Bronx Bombers are an offense that can end a game in one half inning.

Charlie, your Phillies were fortunate to take 1 of 2 in New York.  You did so because Cliff Lee is pitching like a man possessed.  He is unhittable right now.  You need him as soon as possible.

Think of it this way:  You needed a flawless Cliff Lee to win Game 1.  A fairly good Pedro Martinez was not good enough to win Game 2.  You've got Cole Hamels facing Andy Pettitte (who has incredible history against your top hitters) in Game 3 with, now, Blanton (0-3, 8.18 ERA in 4 career starts vs the Yanks) in Game 4.

And with that, if you lose BOTH Games 3 and 4 (which is certainly possible given the firepower of the Yankees offense), you bring back Lee in Game 5 with your back against the wall.  Say he wins that.  Now you go back to New York needing to win 2 games with a pitcher not named Cliff Lee.  Good luck.

Charlie, let me make this clear.  You've got one chance to win this World Series.  One.  His name is Cliff Lee. 

Pitch him.

Your offense gives you a chance...but your bullpen is at a significant disadvantage compared to that of the Yankees.

The difference between Lee pitching in Games 1 and 5 and pitching in Games 1, 4 and 7 might be the difference between winning and losing the World Series.