Pedro in Game 3?

DENVER -- Pedro Martinez is getting the ball and the call in another big game.

Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel chose the aging right-hander over J.A. Happ and Joe Blanton, who made cameo appearances out of the bullpen Thursday, to face the Colorado Rockies in Game 3 of their NL playoff series Saturday night.

The best-of-five series is tied at one game each.

Martinez is 6-2 with a 3.40 ERA in the postseason, and Manuel said he likes his history in cold weather, too.

The forecast for Game 3 calls for temperatures dipping into the 20s with snow flurries.

The 37-year-old Martinez sat out most of the year before signing with the Phillies as a free agent last in the season. He went 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA in nine starts.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

Not sure I go with the older, physically brittle option in 30 degree weather. Is Manuel actually referencing Pedro pitching on October Boston nights circa 2000? That's a completely different player. Seems to me that couldn't be less relevant. Favre used to play well in cold weather, too. Then he got old. Also, Joe Blanton looks like the love child of a rhinoceros and an SUV. I'm guessing he'd be ready for the elements.