Think the Philadelphia Phillies can’t win a third straight National League pennant without a wise and worn pitcher like Jamie Moyer? You may be right.
But, Jose Contreras is an appropriate avatar for the ageless junk-baller.
In his mid-40s, Moyer threw enough glop at opponents to be a useful starter.
At 38, Contreras takes the bullpen bulldog approach with an explosive split fastball and slider. He also tends to hold things together like Crazy Glue at the most crucial moments.
Witness the three NLCS games in San Francisco. Contreras pitched in all of them, giving up one hit, striking out three Giants, and surrendering no runs. He also held the Cincinnati Reds from scoring in the divisional round.
You’d have to go back to September 28 to find Contreras giving up an earned run.
Before Ryan Madson’s lights-out eighth inning last night, you could argue that Contreras had the best stuff in the Phils’ bullpen.
With Roy Halladay battling the Giants, their crowd, the series deficit, the raindrops and a groin injury for several innings last night, manager Charlie Manuel knew he had to get someone warm in a hurry and keep them warm.
At least three times in Game 5 -- from the third inning through the sixth -- Contreras rose to his feet in the AT&T Park bullpen. When a relief pitcher has that much time to dwell on entering a ballgame, all kinds of bats can fly into his belfry.
Oh Contrare(as).
This member of the 2005 World Series champion White Sox blotted it all out, entered the game calmly, and did his job. He spelled “Doc” by pitching two-thirds of the seventh inning -- giving up a hit to Andres Torres in between a Mike Fontenot swinging strikeout and a Freddy Sanchez lineout.
Contreras’ 2010 playoff ERA in four appearances: 0.00.
Now that the Fightins are bringing the pennant series back to South Philly, Manuel will have to consider using Contreras as a middle relief alternative to Kyle Kendrick (and heaven forbid, Chad Durbin), should probable Game 6 starter Roy Oswalt hit the wall.
Contreras has earned it, hasn’t he?
