Rollins, Victorino Win Gold Glove

Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino were awarded the Gold Glove award today. Chase Utley was screwed out of his Gold Glove, losing to Orlando Hudson of the Dodgers, who play significantly less games than Utley. The award was Rollins' third and Victorino's second. Rollins was the first short stop in the NL to win three consecutive Gold Gloves since Rey Ordonez and Victorino is first Phillies outfielder since Gary Maddox to win consecutive awards.

Here are the winners in the National League:

P) Adam Wainwright - St. Louis, 1st
C) Yadier Molina - St. Louis, 2nd
1B) Adrian Gonzalez - San Dego, 2nd
2B) Orlando Hudson - Los Angeles, 4th
3B) Ryan Zimmerman - Washington, 1st
SS) Jimmy Rollins - Philadelphia, 3rd
OF) Shane Victorino - Philadelphia, 2nd
OF) Michael Bourn - Houston, 1st
OF) Matt Kemp - Los Angeles, 1st

Discuss it here.

Phils Stay Alive, Head Back to NY

For the Phillies, every game is a must win game. After taking the first game of the series, they fell three straight to the Yankees. After last night's offensive outburst, the Phillies got back into this series, only trailing 3-2. The bats came alive and Cliff Lee pitched well enough to win as the Phillies fought off a late Yankees rally to win 8-6.

Lee went 7 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks, striking out three. Though he gave up five runs, his ERA is an incredible 1.56 in five post season starts and boasts a 4-0 record. His counterpart, AJ Burnett was bounced in the third inning with no outs, only lasting two innings, allowing six runs on four hits and four walks, striking out two.

The offense got going early after the Yankees managed to score a run in the first inning. The Phillies responded the only way they know how to: a lead off single by Jimmy Rollins, a scary hit-by-pitch taken by Shane Victorino, and a no-out three-run homer by Chase Utley. Victorino got hit in the hand and it affected him all game but he will be fine. It's only a contusion and not a break or fracture.

The offense didn't stop there as they tacked on three more runs in the third. After back-t0-back walks by Utley and Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth drove in Utley on an RBI single. Raul Ibanez then drove in Howard on a single and Werth hustled all the way to third. Carlos Ruiz was able to beat out a potential double play ball to allow Werth to score, making it 6-2.

The Yankees were able to add one in the 5th to make it a 6-2 game but the Phillies responded in the 7th with a pair of solo homers by Utley and Ibanez. Utley's HR was his 5th in the World Series, tying Reggie Jackson's record in 1977.

This is when it got scary. Lee came in the top of the eighth and was credited with all three runs. Chan Ho Park came in and pitched incredible but it was an 8-5 game. Ryan Madson came out in the 9th and got into early trouble. With runners on 1st and 3rd, he got Derek Jeter to hit into an RBI double play. With an 8-6 score, he walked Johnny Damon and then got Mark Teixeira to strike out to end the game and earn the save.

Utley finished the day 2-3 with three runs, four RBI's and a pair of HR's. Rollins had a pair of hits from the lead-off spot and Ibanez also had two hits and two RBI's and a homer. Lee also had a hit, his 3rd of the post season.

Star of the Game:

Game 1: Cliff Lee

Game 2: AJ Burnett

Game 3: Nick Swisher

Game 4: Johnny Damon

Game 5: Chase Utley

Next Game: Wednesday in New York, 7:57 EST

Series: Yankees lead 3-2

Pitching Probables: Pedro Martinez vs. Andy Pettitte

Gameday Discussion: Liberty Bell Sports

The Phillies are still on the ropes but they are punching back. Pedro Martinez is back in New York and back in the spot light. He loves the added attention and I wouldn't blame him. He has been excellent in his two post season starts and is only win-less because he hasn't gotten the offensive support he deserved. With the Phillies offense obviously heated back up, he just needs to go out there and pitch like he has.

Andy Pettitte hasn't pitched on three days rest since 2006. He has a 2.40 ERA in five career starts on that short rest but he is much older now. He will need to stay focused in this outing. He last pitched in game three, giving up four runs in seven innings, allowing five hits and three walks, striking out seven. He certainly is beatable and the Phillies know this.

For extra pumping up, click here.

Yanks Power Their Way to 2-1

The Yankees won game three 8-5 and took a 2-1 lead in the World Series. Nick Swisher killed the Phillies, going 2-4 with a double, home run, and two runs scored. Andy Pettitte got through six solid innings, only allowing four runs on five hits, three walks, and seven strike outs. Mariano Rivera got the save once again.

The Yankees offense combined with three home runs total thanks to Alex Rodriguez, Swisher, and Hideki Matsui.

Three things after this game: Cole Hamels is a girl, the offense has disappeared, and Joe Blanton needs to pitch his ass off tomorrow. Let's talk about each item individually.

1) Hamels was attrocious. He lasted only 4.1 innings, allowing five runs on five hits, two walks and striking out three. He pitched no-hit ball through the first three and then saw the wheels fall off. After walking Mark Teixeira on a questionable call in the fourth, Rodriguez hit a two-run homer that barely made it out. In the fifth, Hamels gave up a series of hits that led to three more runs and and early exit with only one out.

The pen couldn't keep the game close either as JA Happ, Chad Durbin, Brett Myers, and Madson combined to give up three runs and two homers in 4.2 innings pitched. I'm not pitting a lot of blame on them but you need to be good in the World Series. The garbage the Yankees call a bull pen out-pitched you.

2) Ryan Howard struck out three more times and is 2-13 with nine strike outs this series. Shane Victorino, Chase Utley, and Raul Ibanez looked lost at their plate appearances, going a combined 0-11 with a sacrifice fly and RBI. As expected, Pedro Feliz has been a penciled-in out in key situations. Jayson Werth was the only bright spot with his two home runs.

They blew some big opportunities. The first came in the second inning. Yes they got three runs that inning but had the bases loaded with one out and could only get a walked-in run by Jimmy Rollins and a sacrifice fly by Victorino. Utley didn't show up with a runner in scoring position, keeping the Yankees in the game.

3) Charlie Manuel needs to stick to his gut for game four. They are only down 2-1 in the series and shouldn't jump to Cliff Lee early for game four. He has Blanton going up against C.C. Sabathia, who wasn't that sharp in game one. The Phillies can hit Sabathia and they know that. Blanton needs to go out their and do his job. He is a good pitcher and needs to realize that and pitch like it.

Star of the Game:
Game 1: Cliff Lee
Game 2: AJ Burnett
Game 3: Nick Swisher

Next Game: Sunday in Philadelphia, 7:57 EST
Series: Yankees lead 2-1
Pitching Probables: C.C. Sabathia vs. Joe Blanton
Gameday Discussion: Liberty Bell Sports

Oh look! They're playing the Yankees again. Beat them.

Lee, Utley Lead Phils in Game 1

The weather was ugly but Cliff Lee and Chase Utley were the complete opposite. Lee went pitched a complete game and Utley hit two homers en route to a 6-1 Phillies win and putting them ahead 1-0 in the World Series over the Yankees.

C.C. Sabathia was once again thwarted by the Phillies as he lasted seven innings, allowing both of Utley's home runs. He gave up two runs total on four hits, walking three and striking out six. Lee dominated his former team mate, going nine and allowing a run on six hits, no walks, and matching a career and Phillies best 10 strike outs in the post season (Lee in the NLCS, Schilling in the 1993 World Series, and Steve Carlton in the 1980 World Series).

Utley was on fire at the plate, hitting solo homers in the third and sixth inning. Ryan Howard tacked on two doubles and an RBI, Raul Ibanez had two RBI's, and Victorino drove in another. Derek Jeter had the only multiple-hit game for the Yankees, getting three. Alex Rodrigue struck out three times.

It was the first World Series game versus the Yankees since they were swept in 1950 and the Phillies completely turned the tables on them. If the Phillies can keep this up for the remainder of the series, you will be looking at your back-to-back world champion Phillies.

On a side note, Utley reached base in his 26th straight game, a new record.

Next Game: Game two in New York, 7:57 EST

Series: Phillies lead 1-0

Probables: Pedro Martinez vs. A.J. Burnett

Game Discussion: Liberty Bell Sports

The Phillies already did what they needed to do and that was take at least one game in New York. If they can take game two, that would be perfect. For the Yankees, they do not want to go to Philadelphia down 0-2 in the series with Hamels set up for game three.

This will be a big spot for Pedro Martinez. He has a lot of bad blood with the Yankees. He is also one of the best big-game pitchers of all time. When he gets in the zone, he is the Pedro of old. AJ Burnett has not been effective in the post season with his 4.42 ERA in 3 starts. He will look to give the Yankees a strong outing versus a very tough offense.

Blog Stroll 10/27/09

I figured I haven't done one of these in a long time so I might as well post some of the funnier things I read the past couple of days:

The Fightins did a hilarious post titled "The Bandwagoners Guide to the 2009 Yankees." In it they talk about some of the current and recently former players of the Yankees to just give those who are hopping back on thier bandwagon for the first time in about five years a heads up of who to watch and who to fear.

Phillies Nation did a post comparing the attractions, food, and traffic of New York and Philadelphia. They then capped it off with showing why it's easy to root for a team with 26 rings but difficult to be as passionate, if not more passionate than the Yankees fans with only seeing two rings, 10,000 losses, and Joe Carter and 1964.

Red Pinstripes Are Cooler re-bashed the New York Post for their crappy attempt at humor in depicting the "Frillies" fans and thier city as second rate and used a poorly photo-shopped picture of Shane Victorino in a skirt on thier cover. I guess desperated times call for desperate measures for the Post.

Macho Row did a nice little flash back to the 1950 World Series featuring the Whiz Kids. The Yankees swept the Phillies 4-0.

And also, don't forget to join the World Series discussion on Liberty Bell Sports, a forum for all you Philly fans.

J-Roll-adamus

This was a very entertaining bit Jimmy Rollins did on Jay Leno. In the segment "Ten @ Ten" where Leno asks the guest 10 questions, Rollins talked about Shane Victorino's rituals, Elton John, and his crappies job in Oakland.

His final question was a World Series prediction. He said the Phillies will win in five and if they are nice, let it go to six games. Let's hope you're right, J-Roll.

Filling In the Void

Here are a few things I read during the past couple days in the wake of the Phillies second straight NL championship. We are all sitting here watching the Angels refuse to go away as the series heads back to New York for game six with the Yankees up 3-2.

Rollins, Victorino Fine:

Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino were both hit by pitches during Wednesday's 10-4 win over the Dodgers. Rollins took a pitch off his left foot and hobbled to first. He was visibly frustrated after the pitch and was also noticeably hurt during the remainder of the game. Victorino was hit in the left elbow. Both had X-rays done and both came back negative.

After Lee, Rotation Not Set:

A very interesting scenario is starting to play out for the Phillies as they wait to see how the rest of the Yankees/Angels series plays out. Regardless of the opponent, the Phillies will be on the road for the first two, at home for the next three, and will close the series on the road.

Cliff Lee is the starter for game one but after him, it isn't clear who will pitch games two through four. The Phillies are thinking about Cole Hamels for game two and I actually disagree. Hamels is a better hitter than Pedro Martinez and I would rather see him at the plate for at least two at-bats.

I also feel that putting Hamels versus the Yankees third starter is a better match up even though it could very well be C.C. Sabathia. Andy Pettite will start game six tomorrow for the Yankees and Sabathia likely in game seven. This is all assuming the Yankees do win the series.

My rotation looks like this: Lee, Martinez, Hamels, Blanton

Phillies Don't Care Who Opponent Will Be:

Sure beating the Yankees would be sweeter but if they face the Angels, the task will still be difficult. Regardless of who they play, the Phillies know what needs to be done and that is win.

David Montgomery had this to say:

"We're happy to represent the National League and I'm sure we'll be facing the best of the American League," Phillies president David Montgomery said. "In the case of the Angels, they're the only team other than us who has won their division three [years] in a row. And the Yankees have the best record in baseball. Now it's set up, whichever team we play, we absolutely can feel that we'll be facing the best of the American League."

Back to the World Series

The Phillies showed no signs of slowing down as they rolled through the Dodgers once again 10-4, and winning the NLCS 4-1. The offensive was led by Jayson Werth with a pair of HR's and four RBI's, breaking out of his terrible NLCS slump going into the World Series, and by Shane Victorino with a double, home run, and three RBI's.

The only thing I saw in this game that will have me worrying going into the World Series is seeing Cole Hamels struggle again. He only lasted 4.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk and struck out three. He was taken deep in the first and second inning, settled in for a few innings, and then struggled to get anyone out. 

The bull pen was really impressive, going 4.2 innings and allowing a run on three hits and a walk. Chad Durbin was credited with the win since Hamels didn't pitch the minimum of five innings.

The Dodgers attacked the Phillies early, going up 1-0 after Andre Ethier's solo homer in the first. The Phillies then responded with a two-out rally. After Jimmy Rollins and Victorino were retired, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard drew walks and Werth hit a 3-2 pitch out to right field to give the Phillies the 3-1 lead. The Dodgers answered in the second inning with a lead off homer by Matt Kemp but the Phillies kept pace with a solo homer by Pedro Feliz. 

Vicente Padilla's run of consistency in the playoffs ended. He only lasted three innings, allowing six runs on four hits. The Dodgers' bull pen, which was the talk of the series as being one of the best in the majors, complete collapsed once again to the Phillies high-powered offense. 

The Phillies will look to be playing the Yankees, who lead the seres 3-1. But as the Red Sox have proven in the past, no lead in any series is safe anymore. The Yankees and Angels play tonight. 

Notes: Phillies became the first team to make it to consecutive World Series' since the 1998-2001 Yankees and first NL team since the 1995-1996 Braves... Chase Utley reached base safely in 25 straight post season games, tying the record with Boog Powell... Ryan Howard's eight-game streak with an RBI in the post season ended Wednesday. He currently shares the record with Lou Gherig but his eight-game streak was done in one post season, a new record... The Dodgers and Phillies combined with six home runs last night, tying a record done numerous times... The Phillies have won their respective series' in four and five games, the same path they took last year in winning the World Series.

The Phillies Are J-Roll-in'

This team is incredible. They keep you on the edge of your seat for 26 outs while you bite your nails all the way to your elbow. Then with one mighty swing, they win the game and rip the hearts out of their opponent, sending the Phillie Phaithful into a euphoria.

The Phillies overcame a rocky start by Joe Blanton and a good start by Randy Wolf to win game four in dramatic fashion and take a commanding 3-1 series lead. Jimmy Rollins' walk-off two-run double off of Jonathon Broxton tied and won the game. Brad Lidge pitched the 9th and earned the win. It was game four last NLCS when Matt Stairs hit the game winning two-run homer in the top of the 9th off Broxton.

Blanton came out firing, retiring the first ten batters but then hit a snag in the 4th inning. He finished six innings, allowing four runs, three earned on six hits, two walks, and two strike outs. He allowed a solo home run to Matt Kemp in the 5th inning to give the Dodgers the 3-2 lead. They then added another off Blanton in the 6th.

The Phillies quickly got a run back in the bottom of the 6th off of a Shane Victorino triple and a Chase Utley RBI single. The bull pen was rock solid from the 6th inning on, only allowing two hits, two walks, and striking out five.

In the bottom of the 9th, Raul Ibanez led off with a ground out. Matt Stairs then pinch hit and walked on four pitches. Eric Bruntlett came in to pinch run and Carlos Ruiz was hit by a pitch to put two on. Greg Dobbs then pinch hit and hit a weak line drive for out number two. With two men on and two outs, Rollins took Broxton's 99 MPH fastball to right-center for to score Bruntlett and Ruiz to win the game.

Ryan Howard got the game going in the first inning with his two-run homer. That homer tied him up with Lou Gherig for most consecutive games with an RBI in multiple post seasons with eight games.

Of course I saw some bad things but I really don't give a damn. This team never gives up and never will and that is the formula a World Series team has.

Next Game: Wednesday in Philadelphia, 8:07 EST

Series: Phillies lead 3-1

Pitching Probables: LAD: Padilla (1-0, 0.63), PHI: Hamels (1-1, 6.97)

Game Day Discussion: Liberty Bell Sports

The Phillies have the Dodgers where they want them. For LA, it's win or go home. The only thing the Dodgers have going for them is the day off on Tuesday to maybe shake off the heart breaking loss. The Phillies are 2-0 in game five's under Charlie Manuel.

Cole Hamels may not have been the same pitcher he was in the 2008 post season but he is still one of the best pitchers in the league and can close this series out. If the Phillies bats can rock Vicente Padilla early, this game and series will be in the bag. The faster the Phillies win this series, the more rest they will have going into the World Series so they can have a fully rested rotation ready for the Yankees/Angels.

Simp-Lee Amazing

The weather was cold but the bats were on fire. The Phillies battered and beat the Dodgers 11-0 in game three to take a 2-1 series lead in the NLCS. From the start of the game with a 1-2-3 top and a four-run bottom first inning to the 1-2-3 9th pitched by Chad Durbin that ended with a great snag by Carlos Ruiz, the Phillies dominated this game for 27 outs.

Ryan Howard drove in three runs tonight. With his two-run triple in the first, he has driven in a batter in all seven games this post season, a new MLB record, and is now one game shy of tying Lou Gherig's eight-game streak that spanned over multiple post seasons. Pedro Feliz also added a triple and Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino hit home runs to spark a potent Phillies offense that only managed a run on four hits during game two on Friday.

Cliff Lee was fantastic in his third start of the post season. He went eight shut out innings, allowing three hits and striking out 10. He tied Curt Schilling (1993) and Steve Carlton (1980) for the Phillies record with strikeouts in a single post season game. He also went 1-3 at the plate with a single and a run scored.

The offense got rolling early with Howard's two-run triple. Werth followed that up with a two-run home run that got the Phillies on the board early. Victorino capped off the fire works with his three-run homer in the eighth.

Manny Ramirez managed two hits out of Lee and Ronnie Belliard got the third.

Next Game: Monday in Philadelphia, 8:07 EST

Series: Phillies lead 2-1

Probables: LAD: Randy Wolf (0-0, 4.91); PHI: Joe Blanton (0-0, 4.91)

Game Day Discussion: Liberty Bell Sports

The Phillies have the momentum back in their favor and will look to go for the kill. Joe Blanton will be making his first post season start this year after pitching 3.2 innings of relief. Randy Wolf will look to get the Dodgers evened up versus his former team. Expect no love from the Wolf Pack in this one.

The Phillies are 4-0 in game four since Charlie Manuel took over. The last game four the Phillies played versus LA: Victorino hit a two-run homer to tie the game at five and then Matt Stairs hit a two-run homer later in the same inning to put the Phillies up for good, 7-5.

This game means a lot to both teams. It will either put the Phillies closer to going back to the World Series and the Dodgers on the brink of elimination or it will tie the series up for the Dodgers.

Pen Can't Hold Lead

Pedro Martinez pitched his heart out and got nothing out of it as the Phillies lost 2-1. The were able to earn a split on Los Angeles and will come home to Philadelphia for three games. They still have momentum going into these next three games and have nothing to worry about.

Martinez went seven innings, allowing no runs on two hits and striking out three. Chan Ho Park came in to pitch the 8th and was charged for both of the Dodger's runs. Park earned the loss. Former Phillies pitcher Vicente Padilla got the start for LA and was dominant. He allowed a run in 7.1 innings of work on four hits and striking out six. The lone run he gave up was on Ryan Howard's homer in the 4th.

I wasn't able to watch any of the game so I can't make any fair assessments outside of the fact that the bull pen and poor defense blew another game for the Phillies. At least it wasn't Lidge this time but Ryan Madson really needs to pick his game back up. It's the NLCS for crying out loud.

Next Game: Sunday in Philadelphia, 8:07 EST

Series: Series tied 1-1

Probables: LAD: Kuroda (0-0, -.--), PHI: Lee, Cl (1-0, 1.10)

Game Day Discussion: Liberty Bell Sports

Cliff Lee was absolutely dominant in his two starts versus the Rockies in the NLDS. Hiroki Kuroda will be making his first start of the post season. Last time he pitched versus Philadelphia, Shane Victorino told him to throw out his back, not his head.

The series shifts in the Phillies favor despite losing game two. The next three games will be in a very loud Citizens Bank Park where the fans show up hours BEFORE the game starts. Dodgers fans strolled into games one and two around the 3rd inning. That's disgusting. It's going to be louder and more electric than Dodger Stadium in Philadelphia and that should impact the Phillies.

9th Inning Heroics Send Phils to NLCS

Vengeance: as cold as the Rocky Mountains. The Phillies showed why they are the best come-from-behind team in the majors last night in their 5-4 win over the Rockies, lifting them into an NLCS rematch versus the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cliff Lee was once again stellar in his second start in the playoffs, going 7.1 innings and allowing three runs, one earned. After walking Deter Fowler, Todd Helton hit a soft grounder to Chase Utley, who attempted to place a tag on Fowler. Instead, Fowler jumped over Utley and was safe at second after Jimmy Rollins failed to hold onto Utley's flip. Ryan Madson came in to the game and this is when the wheels fell off.

Ben Francisco also entered because it was a double switch and played left field in place of Raul Ibanez. Troy Tulowitzki hit a shot to left but Francisco made the incredible diving catch. With two outs now, Jason Giambi hit an RBI base hit to tie the game and Yorvit Torrealba hit a two-run double to right center that put the Rockies up 4-2.

Everyone was writing this game off and Cole Hamels was probably mentally preparing for game 5 but the Phillies offense told Cole to start doing his home work on the Dodgers. After Greg Dobbs pinch-hit for Francisco and struck out, Rollins redeemed his error with a base hit. Shane Victorino then hit a ground ball that got Rollins out but Victorino's hustle kept the Phillies alive. Victorino then stole second and Utley drew the walk.

Up to the plate came Ryan Howard, aka Mr. Red October. He sent a shot well over the head of right fielder Carlos Gonzonlez that scored both Victorino and Utley to knot the game up at 4. The Jayson Werth continued his hot bat with an RBI base hit that scored Howard to put the Phillies on top 5-4.

Scott Eyre started the 9th and got into a bit of a jam. With two outs and runners on 1st and 2nd, Brad Lidge entered the game with a one run lead. While listening to "Soldier" by Drowning Pool, Lidge's entrance song of 2008, I watched as he struck out Tulowitzki on his patinent slider to end the game.

I will post a series preview of the Phillies vs Dodgers series either tonight or tomorrow. They first play on Thursday at 4:07 EST. Hamels will be the game 1 starter.

Phils Fail to Come Back; Series Tied at 1

Cole Hamels was not the Cole Hamels of 2008 and Aaron Cook proved once again that the Phillies can't hit sinker-ballers as the Rockies won the nail-biter, 5-4. In a game that saw the Phillies fight back from 4-0, it ended with them coming up short with runners in scoring position once again.

The Rockies jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first and the got a two run homer from Yorvit Torrealba in the fourth. Hamels got yanked after the fifth when he allowed one more run. Joe Blanton pitched the sixth and some of the seventh before he was replaced by JA Happ, who left after taking a line drive off his left knee. Scott Eyre came in and allowed a run that was earned by Blanton. Brett Myers, Antonio Bastardo, and Ryan Madson also got some work.

The Phillies offense was dead up until the sixth when they got three runs off an RBI double by Howard and a two-run single by Ibanez. After Colorado made it a 5-3 game, Jayson Werth ripped a solo homer in the eighth.

In the bottom of the ninth and Houston Street in to close for Colorado, the Phillies got a one-out walk from Matt Stairs, who was replaced by Cliff Lee on the bases and then followed up by an out from Ben Francisco and a base hit from Jimmy Rollins. With runners on second and third, Shane Victorino lined out to end the game and Street got the shaky save.

Some things I observed will start with the offense. The Phillies are getting production from 2-6 in the line up but there is no consistency. If this offense can be consistent, they will win games. Hamels shouldn't be entirely to blame due to him not having any support and was thinking about his wife, who went into labor during the game.

Now the other observation I made that really confused me was how Charlie Manuel handled the bull pen. He used Blanton and Happ in this game, a completely asinine move. Now Blanton and Happ should be eligible to start Sunday but who knows now with the health of Happ's left leg, where he suffered a contusion.

Next Game: Saturday 9:37 EST @ Colorado

Probables: PHI: Pedro Martinez, COL: Jason Hammel

This is a must win for either team as it will put the loser on the brink of elimination. The Phillies could be looking at playing 30 degree weather and a chance of snow. "I'm going to enjoy the snow. Maybe I'll be rounding the bases in a snowmobile," said Martinez via Todd Zolecki's Twitter.

I love the attitude of Martinez. This guy is so relaxed and calm but knows how to turn on the intensity and win the game. If the Pedro from 10 years ago (or even a couple weeks ago) shows up, expect a 2-1 series lead in favor of the Phillies.

UPDATE: Game 4 will be Sunday at 10:07 EST in Colorado.

Phillies Clinch 3rd Straight Division

I decided to take a break from typing my paper due tomorrow. With the Phillies win over the Houston Astros, they clinched their third straight division title. This is the most consecutive division titles since the teams managed by the late Danny Ozark in 1976-78.

The Phillies offense exploded for 10 runs and Pedro Martinez, Kyle Kendrick, Chad Durbin, Scott Eyre, and Brad Lidge combined for the winning effort at pitcher. In the top of the 9th, Eyre retired the first two batters and then in a very classy and symbolic move by Charlie Manuel, Lidge was brought in and retired Lance Berkman to lock up the division.

Raul Ibanez hit his 34th home run of the season and Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, and Pedro Feliz had a pair of hits each.

The Phillies magic number to clinch at least second place is at three versus the Cardinals and currently sit two game behind the Dodgers, who are playing now, for the top seed in the NL.

It was a night Harry Kalas would again been proud of. I bet he smiled down on Citizen's Bank Park tonight as the crowd sang "High Hopes," Chase Utley and Jayson Werth smoked cigars, and the team paid tribute to the "HK" banner in left field.

Let's win it for Harry and the City of Brotherly Love!


*I will post some video and pictures collected from the media and Youtube from the clinching game some time tomorrow or Friday.

BlueClaws Win SAL

Your Lakewood BlueClaws are the 2009 South Atlantic League champions. This is their second championship in four years as they beat the Greenville Drive (Red Sox). Korey Noles was the winning pitcher in the clinching game as he went seven strong innings to bring the John H. Moss Cup back to Lakewood, NJ.

Lakewood held Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox), which owned the league's best overall regular-season record, to two runs in a two-game sweep of the Northern Division finals, then limited Greenville to six runs over four games in the Championship Series.

The Single A team is led by one of the Phillies' other top OF prospects, Anthony Gose. He is their lead off man and spark for offense. In the first inning, he led off the game with a single, took second on a sacrifice, stole third, and then scored on a ground out. That sounds a lot like Jimmy Rollins.

There are quite a bit of notable Phillies who are alumni to this team. They include Cole Hamels, JA Happ, Ryan Howard, Kyle Kendrick, Carlos Ruiz, and Shane Victorino.

Phils Take Three In Final Mets Series

This was the last series the Phillies would play versus the Mets and they made the most of it, winning three of four. Ryan Madson blew Saturday's game to prevent the sweep. Overall, the Phillies taking three from a poor team allowed them to keep pace in the NL East as the Marlins and Braves have not given up their fight. The magic number sits at 14.

Friday - Phillies won 4-2: Cole Hamels continued his dominant run as he went 6.2 innings, allowing a run on seven hits and a walk, striking out six. Shane Victorino had three doubles.

Saturday - Mets won 10-9: The Mets jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead but the Phillies scored big, being up 9-5 up to the eighth inning. Brett Myers surrendered three runs in that inning and then Madson gave up a two-out single and then a two-run homer to David Wright to blow the lead and eventually the game.

Sunday #1 - Phillies won 5-4: Ben Francisco and Victorino had home runs each and Kyle Kendrick pitched excellent in his first start since last year, going 7.1 innings and allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk, striking out three. Brad Lidge came in with a three run lead and allowed two, barely getting his 29th save.

Sunday #2 - Phillies won 1-0: Pedro Martinez pitched his finest outing as a Phillie, going eight innings for the first time in about three years. He allowed no runs, six hits, two walks, and struck out seven. The Phillies got the only run in the first when Jimmy Rollins scored off a Chase Utley single. Madson got the save.

Series MVP's:

Shane Victorino: 6-15, 2 runs, 3 doubles, HR, 2 RBI

Chase Utley: 5-13, 3 runs, 2 doubles, HR, 3 RBI

Pedro Martinez: 8 IP, 0 ER/R, 6 H, 2 BB, 7 K

Next Series: Washington Nationals (50-93, 21-50 on road) @ Philadelphia Phillies (82-60, 39-32 at home)

Pitching Probables:

Tuesday: WSH: Mock (3-7, 5.75), PHI: Lee, Cl (13-11, 3.13)

Wednesday: WSH: Hernandez, L (8-10, 5.30), PHI: Blanton (9-7, 4.11)
Thursday: WSH: Martin, J (4-4, 4.29), PHI: Hamels (9-9, 4.21)

Phillies lead the series 12-3 and this is the final match up between the two teams. The Nationals are the worst team in baseball and the Phillies have to use this series to pull away further in the division. There really is no key game to this series. Just beat the Nationals is all they need to focus on.

Washington has actually had a higher team batting average than the Phillies, sitting in 4th place in the NL while the Phillies are 10th. In the runs scored department, the Phillies have climbed to being only two runs shy of retaking their NL lead and the Nats are 7th. The Phillies pitching has been much better, resting at 7th in ERA while the Nats are last in the NL in ERA .

This should be a sweep and it will be a sweep. This is the time where the Phillies should not be worrying about their closer problems and just put teams away.

Nats Recap, Mets Preview

I am extremely busy this weekend and therefor can't put my normal effort into this post. I will just recap the Nats series in brief, give out my awards, and then preview the Mets series in brief. Sorry people.

Tuesday - Phillies won 5-3: Raul Ibanez hit two solo homers and Chase Utley, Jayson Werth, and Carlos Ruiz each had one.

Wednesday - Phillies won 6-5: Werth's two run homer in the eighth earned Cliff Lee his 13th win of the season.

Thursday - Phillies lost 8-7: Down 8-2 in the ninth, Matt Stairs snapped his 0-30 streak with a grand slam. With one out, the Phillies managed another run and had runners on first and third for Ryan Howard but he hit into a game ending double play.

Series MVP's:
Raul Ibanez: 5-13, 3 runs, 2 doubles, 2 homers, 3 RBI's
Jayson Werth: 4-12, 4 runs, 2 homers, 3 RBI's
Shane Victorino: 5-14, run, 2 doubles, RBI

Next Series: New York Mets (62-78, 26-42 on road) @ Philadelphia Phillies (79-59, 36-31 at home)

Pitching Probables:
Friday: NYM: Figueroa, N (2-4, 4.74), PHI: Hamels (8-9, 4.32)
Saturday: NYM: Pelfrey (10-10, 4.83), PHI: Moyer (12-9, 4.98)
Sunday #1: NYM: Maine (5-4, 4.52), PHI: Kendrick, K (0-1, 5.06)
Sunday #2: NYM: Redding (2-5, 5.78), PHI: Martinez, P (4-0, 3.64)

Four-Game Series. Phillies lead series 9-5.

RISP Problems

The Phillies have been absolutely atrocious with runners on second and/or third. Since July 26, they're batting .211 with runners in scoring position. Tonight's 0-5 effort with RISP during their 4-0 loss San Francisco added to that lack of effort.

Their lack of offense with these opportunities is the reason the Phillies have only scored 11 runs in their last six games. Thank God the starting pitching and bull pen have been bailing them out when it's usually the other way around. They luckily are 20-14 in that span but it is unacceptable that they have had to rely on their starters to squeak out wins.

Charlie Manuel had this to say:

"They know," Manuel said. "They definitely know when they don't knock somebody in from third. I played 20 years. I knew every time I didn't get somebody in from third. And if they don't know, please come and see me."

How do you fix this problem though? Do you shake up the line up again? Jayson Werth has cooled off and so had Ryan Howard. Shane Victorino isn't getting anything going and hasn't had a multi-hit game since August 19. And here is the kicker: Raul Ibanez batted .193 in August with one homer and four RBI's and only six extra base hits.

At this stage in the season, tweaking the line up is not an option. Like all year, the Phillies will need to swing out of their slump and if they don't, they could be cooling down at the wrong time and get bounced early in the playoffs.

Thank God For Pitch Counts

The Mets thankfully had Tim Redding on a pitch count or else the Phillies probably would have never had that sixth inning. The Mets took Redding out after five innings of one-hit shut out ball. They bring in Pat Misch who give walked Shane Victorino and then gave up a homer to Chase Utley. That right field short-porch in Citi Field has become Utley's Alley as he has killed the Mets there all year.

The Phillies tacked on another run in that inning with back-to-back doubles by Raul Ibanez and Pedro Feliz and then got another off of Carlos Ruiz's RBI single in the eighth to make a final score of 4-1.

JA Happ earned the win, going seven innings and allowing one run on eight hits and two walks. He got himself in and out of trouble as game as he stranded seven runners. Brad Lidge pitched a 1-2-3 ninth with two strike outs to earn his 24th save.

Oh the wedding was nice by the way but I wound up watching the entire game inside where it was air conditioned.

Pitching, Homers Win Series

I was quieted a bit by the Phillies as I had little faith in them winning this series in Atlanta. They were going into the series 2-7 versus the Braves and wound up winning two. They could have easily had the sweep if Brad Lidge didn't blow his eighth save of the year and the game with his throwing error.

The offense has remained relatively cool but has seen a lot of big flies. Ryan Howard had three homers in the series. Despite the hitting issues, the starting pitching has been phenomenal, including Cole Hamels' recent start.

Friday - Phillies won 3-2: Joe Blanton pitched a great game, allowing two runs, one earned, in seven innings of work. He got support from Chase Utley's two run bomb in the fourth. Howard took Rafael Soriano deep in the top of the ninth and allowed Lidge to record his 22nd save.

Saturday - Braves won 4-3: Fast forward to the ninth. After Hamels pitched six strong innings and a three-man bull pen effort went another scoreless two, Lidge had to get three outs. First batter hits a seeing-eye single and then this is when the wheels fell off. A sacrifice bunt turned into a throwing error by Lidge to score the first guy from first! After loading the bases and getting an out, Omar Infante hit a single between third and short to win the game.

Sunday - Phillies won 4-1: After a rain delay that lasted over 90 minutes, Howard supplied all of the offense with three hits, hitting two homers and driving in four RBI's. JA Happ went 7.2 innings and pitched well despite allowing six walks. Brad Lidge earned his 23rd save, pitching to one batter.

Series MVP's:

Ryan Howard - 4-10, 3 runs, 3 HR, 6 RBI's

JA Happ - 7.2 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 6 BB, 3 K

Shane Victorino: 4-11, 3 runs, double, triple, SB

Next Series: Arizona Diamondbacks (54-64, 26-29 on road) @ Philadelphia Phillies (66-49, 29-29 at home)

Phillies lead the series 2-1. Arizona has fallen out of the playoff picture and they are playing for pride now. The Phillies are trying to keep on top of the NL East, where they have been since the end of May.

Arizona hasn't been an offensive power at all this year. They are 12th in the NL in average while the Phillies sit at 11th. Meanwhile in runs scored, the D'Backs are eighth while the Phillies are first.

The pitching match ups don't favor Arizona at all. Pedro Martinez is making his Philly debut Tuesday and will be looking to impress. Cliff Lee and Blanton will follow him up, two of the Phillies' hottest pitchers. The Phillies will win the series.

Pitching Probables:

Tuesday: ARI: Garland (6-10, 4.28), PHI: Martinez, P (1-0, 5.40)

Wednesday: ARI: Haren (12-7, 2.50), PHI: Lee, Cl (10-9, 2.86)

Thursday: ARI: Davis, D (7-10, 3.59), PHI: Blanton (7-6, 3.88)