The Phillies can collect their first National League pennant since Mitch Williams struck out Bill Pecota on Oct. 13, 1993 when they take on the Dodgers in L.A. tonight.

Cole Hamels is the man on the spot, and appears to be raring to go.

"Going out there in the big game, you want to be that guy that can dictate it.
And I think if you have the mind-set and the talent to do so, then you should be able to go out there and have success," Hamels said. "And I think that's something I have the confidence that I can go out there and do it. I know I have the talent to do it.

"It's just a matter of time and getting that opportunity to do it.
I've had the opportunity this year and I've been able to not only come through but hopefully put us into more situations where I can do it again, and again, and again."

The first again starts in seven hours. If he wins tonight, Hamels will likely find himself back on the mound in the Phillies next game, too - Game 1 of the World Series a week from tonight.

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Over in the ALCS, Tampa Bay has outscored Boston 87-4 in the last three games. Okay, not quite... but the Rays have been rolling over the Red Sox and that series, too, looks just about finished.

And don't be too quick to assume the Rays are a better matchup than the Sox for the Phils in the Series. Tampa has won 13 of their 24 games against the Sox this year, and beat them for the AL East title.

Boston's World Series titles are in the past - the Rays are obviously the better team right now.