Moyer isn't a hero in this Philadelphia story
Jamie Moyer's back was against the wall.
No, really.
Moyer stood in a cramped hallway outside the visiting clubhouse, surrounded in a half-circle by media inquisitors. He got four outs, and three hours to think about it.
He might have all winter to think about it. He is scheduled to start Game 7 for the Philadelphia Phillies if the National League Championship Series extends that far, but he did not answer "yes" to the question of whether he has been assured of making that start.
"The game just ended a half-hour ago," Moyer said. "Come on. I have no idea."
The Phillies can't possibly let Moyer start a Game 7, not with Joe Blanton an option on regular rest and the World Series on the line, not after the Dodgers bombed Moyer on Sunday and the Milwaukee Brewers rocked him in the first round.
If Blanton pitches well tonight and the series lasts seven games, he has to be the guy. Neither Charlie Manuel, the Phillies' manager, nor Rich Dubee, the pitching coach, would commit to Moyer after Sunday's game.
"We don't know yet," Dubee said. "It depends on the schedule. It depends how things line up. Blanton might be available, but I haven't even looked at that."
The Dodgers have, and they have no doubt: Derek Lowe. They'll start their ace on short rest tonight, in Game 4, so they can start him on regular rest in Game 7.
Manuel opted not to start his ace, Cole Hamels, on short rest tonight. That could leave Hamels making two starts and Lowe three in the series, and that could be the difference if the Dodgers advance to the World Series.
So could this: Moyer is starting in this series, and Greg Maddux is not.
They're similar at this point in their careers, distinguished statesmen who live with pinpoint control and without a major league fastball.
The Dodgers sent Maddux to the bullpen, four Cy Young Awards notwithstanding.
The Phillies tapped Moyer for Game 3, and he delivered his shortest start since July 4, 1998. He faced 11 batters, retiring four. He gave up six runs on a home run to Rafael Furcal, a triple, four singles and a hit batter.
The triple was the big hit. Blake DeWitt hit it, clearing the bases with two out in the first inning, turning 2-0 into 5-0 at a time Moyer needed one out to end the inning.
The pitch was a slider. The location, in Moyer's words: "Pretty much down the middle."
