Jim Hickey
Jim Hickey
past surprised
I really thought we were past it and I think he thought so, too. It actually surprised me yesterday.
surprised
I wouldn't be surprised at all if he starts,
member senior time
It's simple. Wheeler's got more time in the big leagues. He's got seniority. We do it by the hierarchy, and Wheeler's the senior member of the club.
aches compensate effects extent past starts three trying
Once he first tweaked it, it was a two-or-three-start kind of thing, ... Then he started to get some other aches and pains, to some extent because he was trying to compensate for the hamstring. But I really thought he was past it. He was able to make two or three starts before this with no effects at all.
brad concerns effect might positive strong whatsoever
That might as well have been 100 years ago. I have no concerns whatsoever that this will have any effect on Brad at all, other than a positive one. It'll make him even better, make him even stronger. He's so strong mentally, he'll use it to his advantage.
bullpen good kids maybe pay tough work
We got some kids in the bullpen some good work in a tough situation. Maybe that will pay off down the road.
andy history promised ready sending
Andy is ready to do anything that will get us to the promised land, ... I know what Andy's history is in the postseason and I'd feel very comfortable sending him out there.
left opportunity starts three understand
They all kind of wallowed around there for a little bit. But I think they all understand there's only two or three starts left and they've got the opportunity of a lifetime.
downhill fastball impressive kept nice plane strike
The most impressive thing to me was that he continually kept his fastball down in the strike zone. He had a nice downhill plane and kept the ball down in the strike zone.
behind fact louder six speaks
That, to me, speaks louder than the fact that he got roughed up in the first inning -- that he was able to put it behind him. He was able to get six outs on 14 pitches.
exact fair guys hardly imagine last setup talk
It's fair to say he's not prototypical (as a setup man), but when you talk about eighth-inning guys I can't hardly imagine a better one. When (closer Brad) Lidge was down (in July) and he was the last man, he did the exact same thing he had always done.
absolutely couple door last room somebody until
There's absolutely room for somebody to show something. Up until these last couple of outings, the door is open.
close last pitching ready since start time
It's the first time he's pitched this long into the season. He's close to 200 innings. It's nothing really unusual. Since the start in Chicago, he's been fine. He's ready to roll. He's done pretty good, considering he was pitching in Double-A last year.
chance provide unique
It's a chance to say 'thank you' and provide a unique experience.