Morning, all.With each passing day, Charlie Manuel gets more questions about how he plans to align the Phillies' starting rotation. And, each day, he tap-dances around those questions (Charlie is a surprisingly deft tap-dancer), keeping us guessing. If he knows the identity of his Opening Day starter, he isn't telling. Here, then, is an educated guess about how the rotation may line up.
Brett Myers (left) is on schedule to pitch the April 2 opener against the Braves at Citizens Bank Park, and I'd bet he'll make that start. In fact, Myers will pitch in a minor-league game Friday rather than facing the Braves. Atlanta isn't as concerned about giving away their Opening Day starter's secrets. John Smoltz will face the Phillies on Friday. After Myers, you probably will see Cole Hamels, Freddy Garcia, Jamie Moyer and Adam Eaton (or Jon Lieber), in that order. Manuel says he wants to split up lefties Hamels and Moyer, and putting Garcia between them would accomplish that.
One other housekeeping note: Tom Gordon has been given a more regular routine. The closer will pitch tonight against the Blue Jays at Dunedin and is slated to pitch Friday, too.
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