NewsFrom bullpen to rotation, Happ excelling
Philadelphia (50-38) at Florida (46-46), 1:10 p.m. ET
By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com
07/18/09 11:10 PM ET
MIAMI -- Going into the Phillies' defense of a World Series championship, a best-case scenario for rookie J.A. Happ was to nail down the final rotation spot. And he didn't even end up doing that.Fast forward more than three months later, though, and on a starting staff with the likes of reigning World Series Most Valuable Player Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton and veteran Jamie Moyer, Happ has been arguably the Phils' most consistent starter.
"Well, you never know," Happ said with a smile. "I would hope that I would be right in line with those guys, for sure. But I think we've definitely shown what we're capable of doing these last several turns in the rotation."
Happ is referring to the rotation's 2.70 ERA and nine quality starts in the past 13 games, not counting Saturday's rainout.
The 26-year-old left-hander started the season in the bullpen when veteran Chan Ho Park won the No. 5 spot, compiling a 2.49 ERA in 12 relief appearances. Then Happ made his way to the rotation, sporting a 3.03 ERA in 10 starts.
Seven of those were quality starts, including his past five in a row. And in those five outings, Happ's 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA.
"It was just a matter of getting my pitch count back up, and then I kind of had to reincorporate my changeup and curveball back into it, because I was mainly fastball-slider," Happ said about his transition from starter to reliever this year. "So getting the repertoire back and getting my pitch count up was kind of the obstacle there."
The biggest adjustment was getting a feel for that third pitch, the changeup.
"It was frustrating because last year I felt like it was such a big pitch for me," Happ said. "This year, it took a little while, and I don't even think it's fully back yet, but I've felt much more comfortable the last few starts with it, and I think it's a big pitch for me."
Despite his success, or perhaps because of his success, Happ's name has come up in trade rumors as the Phillies look to possibly acquire Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay.
With Halladay being the kind of arm that can change the structure of an entire division race, Happ's promise could be enticing to Toronto. But the Phils' 2004 third-round Draft pick doesn't want to go anywhere.
"I like it here," Happ said. "I feel like I fit in good here. I guess you try not to think about it, definitely. It's not like anybody is talking about it here in the clubhouse, it's just stuff that's in the papers, and reporters and stuff mention it.
"I don't think about it when I go out there and throw. I know it's a possibility, and I know I have no control over it. So I'm just going to keep trying to do my job."
Pitching matchupPHI: LHP J.A. Happ (6-0, 2.90 ERA)
Happ has become the Phillies' best, and most reliable, starter. He still has not lost since his Major League debut in 2007. He has tossed at least seven innings in four consecutive starts, going 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA over that span. The latest gem came in Philadelphia's final game before the All-Star break; Happ allowed the Pirates just one run on four hits over seven innings. He has never started against the Marlins, although over three relief outings against them, he allowed eight earned runs in 7 1/3 innings. FLA: LHP Andrew Miller (3-4, 4.50 ERA)
From trying to figure out a new delivery, to losing the battle to be the No. 4 starter in the rotation, to being used out of the bullpen to start the season, to suffering a setback by landing on the disabled list, it was an adventurous start to the season for Miller. But the first half ended on somewhat of a high note. Since returning from a stay on the disabled list -- caused by an oblique strain -- the left-hander has gone 3-3 with a 4.04 ERA in 11 starts, and he's only given up more than three earned runs in two of those outings. But against the Diamondbacks, in his last start before the All-Star Break, he lasted just 2 2/3 innings and gave up six runs (two earned) in a no-decision. He's 0-2 with a 4.05 ERA in his career against Philadelphia. Tidbits
Saturday's postponed game was the Phillies' fourth of the season and second on the road. ... Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth was out of the lineup Saturday, with Greg Dobbs getting his second start of the year in right field. Manager Charlie Manuel said he just wanted to give Werth a day off since he spent the All-Star break in St. Louis for the game. With hard-throwing right-hander Josh Johnson on the opposing mound, Manuel figured Saturday would be a good day. ... The Phils recorded their 50th win of the season in their 88th game Friday. It was the fastest they have posted 50 wins in a season since the 2001 campaign, when they did it in their 87th game. ... If the Phillies would've won Saturday, they would've had a seven-game lead in the National League East, which would've been their biggest margin in the division since June 2, 2001, when they led by 7 1/2 games. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio• Gameday
• Official game notes On television
• MyPhl 17 On radio
• WPHT 1210, WUBA 1480 (Español) Up next
• Monday: Phillies (Rodrigo Lopez, 1-0, 3.18) vs. Cubs (Ted Lilly, 9-6, 3.18), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Phillies (Jamie Moyer, 9-6, 5.58) vs. Cubs (Rich Harden, 6-6, 5.06), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Phillies (Cole Hamels, 5-5, 4.72) vs. Cubs (Carlos Zambrano, 6-4, 3.36), 1:05 p.m. ET
Alden Gonzalez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
