' most successful starting pitcher is likely to spend the postseason in the bullpen. That is a tribute to the depth of a rotation topped by Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee , and certainly no knock on the amazing season turned in by rookie right-hander Vance Worley .
Worley had as many big league starts coming into the season — two — as Halladay had Cy Young Awards , which is one reason he started the year in the minors. But when Joe Blanton went on the disabled list with elbow problems in late April, Worley was rushed to the majors, where he shut out the New York Mets on two hits over six innings in his season debut.
A month later, he was given a permanent spot in the rotation, and he's rewarded the Phillies by going 11-1 with a 2.88 earned-run average. That's the best winning percentage on a starting staff that includes two 16-game winners.
Worley hasn't lost since May, and the Phillies have won the last 14 games he has started. But that's not likely to get the former Long Beach State standout a start in the playoffs. Halladay (16-5, 2.49 ERA), Lee (16-7, 2.47) and Cole Hamels (14-7, 2.60) will top the Phillies' postseason rotation.
If the team needs a fourth starter, Manager Charlie Manuel is said to be leaning heavily toward veteran right-hander Roy Oswalt (7-8, 3.72), who is physically sound again after missing seven weeks because of a lower back injury.
But as difficult as that decision could be for the Phillies, the success of the 23-year-old Worley could lead to an even bigger dilemma this winter. With Blanton back — he'll finish the season in the bullpen — the team could head into next season with seven potential starters, including right-hander Kyle Kendrick , who went 4-4 with a 3.50 ERA in 13 starts this year.
Hamels' contract runs out at the end of the season, and it will certainly cost the Phillies big money to bring him back. As a result, Philadelphia could part ways with the 34-year-old Oswalt, who has a $16-million club option for 2012, one the team can buy out for $2 million.
San Francisco Giants Managerand some of his staff say they have broken a decades-old habit of chewing tobacco with the help of Arizona hypnotherapist AlVera Paxson .
"I don't do that anymore," Bochy proudly told Janie McCauley of the Associated Press.
Bochy took his first dip at 18 while playing in a summer league in Virginia. He took his last in mid-April, two days before his 56th birthday.
Bullpen catcherand equipment manager Mike Murphy also kicked tobacco habits with Paxson's help, as did Murphy's wife, Carol , who quit smoking .
19: Number of the 30 Major League Baseball franchises that have made the postseason in the last five seasons.
3: Teamshas played for in the last 21/2 seasons.
5: Number of games in his last six starts in which Philadelphia's Lee did not allow a run.
21.4: Percentage of starts in which Lee has thrown a complete-game shutout.
.750: Dodgers ' winning percentage since Aug. 17, best in the National League
0: Losses for Detroit right-handerin his last 10 decisions.
0: Seasons in the franchise's 128-year history in which Philadelphia has won more than 101 games. The Phillies are on pace for 106 wins this year.
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