Phillies NLDS Roster

Here is the 25-man roster for the Phillies versus the Rockies in the NLDS:

Starters: Carlos Ruiz, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Pedro Feliz, Jimmy Rollins, Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth

Bench: Paul Bako, Greg Dobbs, Miguel Cairo, Ben Francisco, Matt Stairs

Starting Rotation: Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, *Joe Blanton, *JA Happ, *Pedro Martinez
*Currently in pen. Manuel will decide who his game 3/4 starters will be

Bull Pen: Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, Brett Myers, Chad Durbin, Scott Eyre, Kyle Kendrick, Antonio Bastardo

Being left off the roster were Clay Condrey, Tyler Walker, and Eric Bruntlett. Taking their place was Kendrick, Bastardo, and Cairo.

Cair played real well at the end of the season (5-13 with a homer) to earn the spot over Bruntlett. Kendrick also pitched real well when the rosters were expanded to earn himself a spot as a long reliever. The interesting choice was Bastardo though it does make sense. Eyre is the only other lefty in the pen and this gives the Phillies another option. It also allows us to believe JA Happ may get the start in game 3, especially if the Rockies can't hit the lefties Lee and Hamels in the first two games.

As far as starting pitchers goes, Blanton, Happ, and Martinez were all placed in the pen to start the playoffs. Charlie Manuel will choose from those three guys who will be his game three and game four (if necessary) starters will be. Like I said in the previous paragraph, if Lee and Hamels shuts down the Rockies in games 1 and 2, Happ should be the likely candidate for game 3. If either or both fail, I could see Blanton and/or Martinez taking games 3 and/or 4.