The result was a 5-4 win over the Dodgers in which he allowed three earned runs on six hits in six innings of work.
This time around, Blanton is not sure when he will be pitching. On Tuesday, when Blanton threw about 80 pitches against Phillies hitters at Citizens Bank Park, manager Charlie Manuel sounded like a man who was leaning toward using four starters against the Giants. Of course, a lot depends on how the series unfolds. Manuel has the option of starting Roy Halladay in Game 4 on 3 days' rest, which would line him up for a potential Game 7 start on 3 days' rest. If the Phillies find themselves down in the series, that option could become palatable.
But, for now, everybody seems to be operating under the assumption that Blanton will get a start at some point during this best-of-seven series. And nobody seems to mind the uncertainty.
"Having already done it, kind of knowing how to handle the situation, it makes it a little easier," Blanton said.
Last year, the Phillies moved Blanton to the bullpen along with fellow starter J.A. Happ for the NLDS against Colorado. Until his start in the NLCS, his status was essentially day-to-day. The weather-related postponement of NLDS Game 3 enabled Cliff Lee to start Game 4 on normal rest, and with Happ getting the eventual Game 3 start, Blanton was the odd man out.
In addition to Game 4 of the NLCS, Blanton started Game 4 of the World Series, allowing four runs in six innings to the Yankees, who later staged a three-run rally off Brad Lidge in the ninth inning to win, 7-4.
