The later start times (8:22 instead of 7:05) makes it pretty tough to blog during the game with deadline approaching. Throughout the series, I'll try to write some postgame thoughts to make up for it.

There was obviously a lot to take away from the Phils 3-2 win:

- Chase Utley's power stroke made an appearance.

- Ryan Madson retired Manny in a big spot.

-Cole Hamels rebounded from a nearly disastrous first inning to pitch another quality playoff start.


But the one thing that struck me was Pat Burrell. In a way, he's the Brett Myers of the Phillies offense: when he's going bad, he's going baaaaaaad. But when he's going good, he's as good as anyone.

Honestly, when Burrell is swinging as well as he's capable of, look up and down the Phillies lineup and tell me who's better.

On June 16, Burrell was hitting .289 with 18 home runs and 47 RBIs in 70 games. That's a pretty solid first 2 1/2 months of the season.

But like Myers, Burrell has always struggled with consistency. He went cold in the season's final 3 1/2 months, hitting .221 after June 16.

So here's my reaction after seeing Burrell put the Phils in front with a solo home run in the sixth: maybe he's beginning another hot stretch at the perfect time for his team.

The Phils are three wins away from advancing to the World Series. If Pat's bat is heating up - don't forget he hit two home runs in the Phils NLDS-clinching game Sunday - those wins migth come a bit easier.

Perhaps this is why the Phillies are still playing while 28 other teams are at home - they have a lot of weapons, and when one guy isn't hitting, another is... when Ryan Howard hasn't homered in five playoff games this year, Burrell has three.

Perhaps I'm rambling. It was 1:45 in the morning.

But I have an inkling that Burrell's bat is waking up and there may be more home runs to come in the next week (or longer).