There is still one more number surrounding the Phils that is floating through my head.

29. As in 29 degrees. With a chance for snow flurries or freezing rain.
That’s the forecast for Saturday night in Denver.

And if Charlie Manuel thinks he’s getting a frosty reception in Denver, it’s a good thing the team flew out of here late yesterday. Fans are still giving Charlie the cold shoulder after some of his pitching decisions yesterday.

I like Charlie. I really do.

But I was scratching my head yesterday as to why exactly he decided to use both J.A. Happ and Joe Blanton in relief roles against the Rockies.
They were both potential starters for Game 3 in Denver. Topping things off, Happ immediately takes a line drive off his knee, making him even more questionable for Saturday. Charlie’s response was that he was trying to win yesterday’s game, not worrying about Saturday night.

I thought the whole point of this series was to line up all the Phillies’ left-handers against the Rockies’ lineup, which is vulnerable to left-hand pitching.

Now it appears that Manuel’s choice to start on Saturday is coming down to Blanton (fresh off his relief appearance) or Pedro Martinez. What do they have in common? They’re both right-handed.

I don’t get it.