Halladay, Lee, and Cole Hamels went into the all-star break ranked first, second, and third in the National League in innings pitched. So by giving Worley the ball first to start the second half, the three healthy aces all get an extra day of rest.
Halladay threw 19 pitches in two perfect innings for the National League in Tuesday's All-Star Game, and Lee followed with a 25-pitch effort in 12/3 innings of relief.
Hamels, who last pitched in Sunday's first-half finale against Atlanta, will pitch Saturday against the Mets, and Kyle Kendrick will start the series finale Sunday.
That leaves Halladay and Lee to pitch the first two games against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Monday and Tuesday. With an off day Thursday, Hamels will also get an extra day before facing San Diego on Friday. Dubee must decide if he wants to skip Kendrick's scheduled second turn of the second half or give Halladay and Lee extra rest again.
If the Phillies opt to give Halladay and Lee extra rest before their second starts after the break, then only Hamels will face the defending champion San Francisco Giants in a three-game series later this month.
Halladay appeared to like Dubee's plan when he talked to reporters at the All-Star Game.
"It's just making sure I'm fresh for the second half," Halladay said. "As long as we handle it on the back end, it's no concern. I don't want to cost myself a start at the end of the year by being pushed back, but those are the decisions that Rich makes. He's always been very good about looking out for our best interests."
The rotation shuffle also gives Worley a shot at redemption. The last time he pitched at Citi Field, on May 29, he allowed eight runs (five earned) on 12 hits in just three innings and was demoted to triple-A Lehigh Valley the next day.
