Somebody better tell the Phillies they need Roy Halladay to become a serious contender to defend their World Series crown.

These guys almost seem intent on shouting, “We ain’t exactly chopped liver.”

The red-hot Phils made it nine wins in a row last night by torching the Cubs, 9-1.

And once again they teamed solid hitting and effective pitching. This time it was Rodrigo Lopez on the hill. Lopez threw six effective innings, giving up five hits and just one run. By that time the game was long over, with the Phils jumping out to a big lead in the first inning on the strength of a three-run bomb from Raul Ibanez.

But don’t expect the din crying out for Halladay to die down anytime before next week’s July 31 trade deadline. Especially if the Blue Jays do not make a move before then.

Add Times’ sports columnist Jack McCaffery to the list of those who believe the Phils should add Halladay to the rotation. Jack makes the solid argument that this core nucleus of Phillies, including Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard have a window of opportunity of being a dynasty. And Jack believes Halladay would be the final piece to that puzzle.

He won’t be the only one. Pedro Martinez also threw a simulated game at their minor league complex in Clearwater yesterday.

For their part, the Phils admit that despite the fact that they have now won 13 of their last 14 games, they are still looking to improve. And that leads to talk of Halladay.

He won’t come cheap. Expect names such as J.A. Happ and young phenom Kyle Drabek to be involved.

Guess you could call it a “Call to Arms.”