He is a rookie. A 26-year-old rookie, but a rookie nonetheless. Last night he pitched like one, exiting after only 76 pitches, albeit with a 4-3 lead. And yet Happ entered these October games with more postseason experience than Lee, which makes the idea of advice, on a night of freezing temperatures, the latest interesting development in a season threatening to drown in them.
But that's Lee's role on this team now. He's not just the adviser. He's the stopper, the ace, the thread that holds this team's postseason pitching staff together in a way they did not need last year. Jamie Moyer is not here. Cole Hamels is not here, and really, he's not that guy.
Cliff Lee is that guy because there is no one else right now.
The Phillies ride to one place or another with him tonight. If he pitches the way he did in Game 1, they can turn this into their latest chapter on adversity, turning the tables on a team that swept them 2 years ago, a team that has used this September to slot players into roles the way the Phillies did last year.
"Even probably before the middle of September, seemed like our bullpen really came into its own as far as like really being - doing their job," Charlie Manuel was saying before last night's game. "Everybody down there seemed like they got sharp at the right time."
Now for the Phillies, there are few job descriptions. Happ relieved in Game 2, started last night. Joe Blanton, arguably their most reliable starter all season, came out of the bullpen last night for the second time in three playoff games, allowing three hits in 2 2/3 innings, including one mammoth home run to Carlos Gonzalez.
No one is sure whether we will see Pedro Martinez, or what he will be when we see him.
