Just a few quick hits after Charlie Manuel's 15 minutes with the press prior to Friday's workout:

-The manager did not seem opposed to Cliff Lee pitching on short rest.

Since the AL reigning Cy Young winner has been dazzling during the playoffs, the Phils could choose him to pitch Games 1, 4 and 7 in the World Series. But in order to do that, Cliff Lee would have to come back one day short of his normal rest for Game 4 and Game 7. Manuel sounded like he would strongly consider the idea.



-Pedro Martinez will make a start.

Manuel said J.A. Happ and Joe Blanton would most likely begin the series in the pen. He also liked what he saw in Pedro Martinez's only start of the playoffs - seven shutout innings at Dodgers Stadium in Game 2 of the NLCS - and said he "definitely thinks (Martinez) deserves another chance to go out there."





-Who will DH? All signs point to Ben Francisco.

Manuel said he's already given thought to using Raul Ibanez as a DH when the Phillies begin the first two games of the World Series at an American League ballpark (in NY or Anaheim). Ibanez has battled groin and abdomen injuries for most of the summer. Ben Francisco is far and away the top reserve - he can hit, run and plays a superb left field.



Also, for your daily reading:

Perhaps the most pleasantly surprising October turnaround for the Phillies? The reclamation project that is the team's closer, Brad Lidge.


Remember those Phils before '07 that couldn't clear the final hurdle? These Phils are fearless come October...