Should Manuel Hold Lee Until Game 2?

With the Phillies' starting rotation leaking oil in the last couple of months, there is added pressure on Cliff Lee, the only consistent starter of late, to succeed. Game 1 against the Yankees therefore becomes particularly significant. If the Phils were to go down with their ace on the mound, the prospects for the rest of the Series would be dire.

Perhaps Pedro Martinez can replicate his gem against the Dodgers. Perhaps Hamels can regain his form. Perhaps Blanton and/or Happ, or even a short-rested Lee, can go deep in a Game 4. But given recent history, and the intimidating Yankee lineup, none of these scenarios are in the high probability category.

The problem is that even if Lee performs well in the opener, it could be wasted against the venerable C.C. Sabathia. No one is unbeatable, as the Phillies proved Sabathia not to be in his previous incarnation as a Milwaukee Brewer. But he is one of the great pitchers in the game, coming off a solid season, and certainly capable of dominating the Phillies' lineup. And memories of his loss to the Fightin's last year can only serve to incentivize him even more this time around.

Should Charlie Manuel go outside the box and start Martinez in Game 1, and give Lee a better matchup in Game 2? It depends on what you consider more important. Do you want Cliff Lee to have the opportunity to start in 3 games, or do you want to increase your chances of winning at least one of the first two games in New York?