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. |
He came out of it feeling good, and he'll get a day off and do it again. It was just what he was supposed to do. He was nice and long in his delivery, which was good. He wasn't short. He wasn't cheating. |
He did a very good job of sticking with what works. |
He makes my job a lot easier. He's very in-tune with what guys should be doing and he's very good at seeing it. A lot of times, he'll correct the problem and get him back on the right track. |
He told me he was plenty willing to go back out there, to eat up some innings to help the bullpen. But I wouldn't call it an argument. We've run into situations like this before and he's argued a lot more vehemently. |
He's fine. It's not an issue. I checked with him and Dave (Labossiere, the trainer). He was in no pain. He was just tight. He had a hard time getting loose. |
I really thought we were past it and I think he thought so, too. It actually surprised me yesterday. |
I think it's the most important decision we have left. It's a golden opportunity these next couple of weeks. |
I was worried that he wouldn't even make it through three innings. |
I wouldn't be surprised at all if he starts, |
It could happen, ... But I don't think that's what's going to happen. But things change real quick, especially if you find yourself in a hole. But I just don't think that would happen. It's not very probable right now. |
It's a chance to say 'thank you' and provide a unique experience. |
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. |
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. |
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. |