By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor
Ace Roy Halladay is going to Anaheim for the All-Star game unless Charlie Manuel has completely lost his mind. If Jamie Moyer has another solid start today and in his next start July 2 at Pittsburgh, he would have to be given consideration to become the oldest player in All-Star history.
Under new rules imposed by MLB this year, both would be eligible to play as well. Thanks to MLB.com’s Barry Bloom for pointing this rule out to us, but pitchers who start the last game before the All-Star break are ineligible to play in the midsummer classic. The Yankees CC Sabathia is one starter in line to miss the game, according to Bloom.
If the Phillies rotation continues on its current pace — meaning no rainouts or a JA Happ return — Cole Hamels would start Sunday, July 11, against the Reds at CBP. (Sidenote: That’ll be your DailyPhiladelphian’s bachelor party.)
Roy Halladay is in line to earn his first NL All-Star birth.
As it stands, Halladay’s last start before the break will come on July 10, and Moyer will throw July 7 in an important battle against the first place Braves.
Entering today’s game against the Blue Jays, Moyer has a chance to pitch himself into All-Star history, as we pointed out earlier this week.
his recent body of work has been excellent, starting with a complete game shutout against first-place Atlanta on May 7. In his last nine games, he’s allowed more than two earned runs just three times (four on May 14 and May 25, and the nine-run disaster in Boston).
With another solid outing against the Blue jays on Sunday, Jamie Moyer will inch one-step closer to All-Star history.
Take away the Boston game, and his ERA over the last two seven weeks has to make him a potential All-Star. If he goes to Anaheim, he’ll be the oldest player in All-Star history, beating out Satchel Paige by days.
As it stands, only Cole Hamels is not able to go due to the new rule. Based on yesterday’s game, that’s not the only thing that’ll give him a few days off to rest with wife Heidi and their baby boy.
