All the talk of Cliff Lee coming back on short rest was just that - talk.

Charlie Manuel poured a cold bucket of water on the idea Friday when he named Joe Blanton is starter for Game 4.

Manuel listed more than a couple reasons to not ask Lee to come back early: Lee has racked up more innings than just about every other major league pitcher in the last two years; Blanton pitched last year in the World Series and has the experience; he wants a fully-rested, 100 % Cliff Lee, who has never pitched on short rest; when Lee goes in Game 5, he would be available to pitch some in a possible Game 7 since it would be his normal, bullpen session day.

He also wants to keep Happ in the bullpen for potential lefty-lefty matchups.

If the series goes seven games, here's how it's almost guaranteed to be set up:

GAME 3: Hamels
GAME 4: Blanton
GAME 5: Lee
GAME 6: Pedro
GAME 7: Hamels

Yup, Kid Cole, reigning World Series MVP and current mystery, goes in Game 7. More on Hamels in Saturday's Daily Times.

That's all from the ballpark for now...

Flip the script from Game 1 and that's what you got with Game 2:

Cliff Lee outpitched CC Sabathia Wednesday.

A.J. Burnett outpitched Pedro Martinez Thursday.

Sabathia gave up two solo home runs Wednesday, and otherwise pitched well enough to win on most nights.

Martinez gave up two solo home runs Thursday, and otherwise pitched well enough to win on most nights.

The Phils lost 3-1. The series is tied 1-1.

There's not a whole lot more else to say. Check out the delcotimes.com in the a.m. for the usual expansive coverage - for myself, columnist Jack McCaffery and sports editor Rob Parent.


As for something that won't appear in my game story.... I thought I caught something happening when Martinez was walking from the mound to the dugout when he was lifted in the middle of the seventh inning. The veteran pitcher and NY fan "favorite" was getting jeered pretty good, and I thought he slowed up and may have said something to a fan just before he ducked into the dugout.

He did.

Here's what happened, according to the pitcher himself:

"It's the New Yankee Stadium, but the fans remain the fans," Martinez said. "They're going to give you (grief). I remember on guy sitting right in the front row with his daughter - his daughter in one arm and a cup of beer in the other hand and saying all kinds of nasty stuff.

"I just told him, 'Your daughter is right beside you. It's a little girl. It's a shame you're saying all of these things.' I had to stop and tell him because I'm a father myself, and God, how can you be so dumb to do those things in front of your child? What kind of example are you setting?

"But the fans, I enjoy that, because at the bottom, I know I played for the Mets, I know they really want to root for me. It's just I don't play for the Yankees, that's all. I've always been a good competitor, and they love that. They love the fact that I compete. I'm a New Yorker as well. If I was on the Yankees, I'd probably be like a king over here. That's not the case right now and it's going to be that way."

With New York righty A.J. Burnett on the mound, Charlie Manuel wanted another lefty in the lineup. So the only change from Game 1's lineup is Matt Stairs in at DH; Raul Ibanez is back in left field.

Manuel went with Stairs over Dobbs, in part because Dobbs is unavailable. Dobbs has flu-like symptoms and isn't able to pinch hit tonight, either.

PHILS:

Rollins
Vic
Utley
Howard
Werth
Ibanez
Stairs
Feliz
Ruiz

Pedro Martinez is pitching.


YANKS:

Jeter
Damon
Tex
ARod
Matsui
Cano
Hairston
Cabrera
Molina


The two changes for NY: Hairston replaces Swisher and Molina, Burnett's catcher, takes Posada's spot.

Cliff Lee throws another complete game... he doesn't allow an earned run.

Chase Utley homers twice... off previously playoff-unbeaten CC Sabathia (who had been talked up as if he was the best pitcher since Walter Johnson by the homerish New York media).

The Phils tacked on four runs in the final two innings to make Charlie Manuel breathe a little easier and get the 50,207 people out of Yankee Stadium a little faster.

With that, Game 1 of the World Series in the Bronx - in a series billed as the defending World Champs vs. Baseball's Most Highly Decorated Franchise - was really pretty easy for the Phillies.

After Utley's first home run, Phils fans had to feel good. After the second, they had to be worry-free, right?

The Phils sit in pretty good shape, up 1-0 in a best-of-seven series that begins on enemy territory. Win again Thursday night - with Pedro Martinez on the bump - and all your have to do is take two out of three at Citizens Bank Park this weekend.

Imagine a pain-free World Series victory over the New York Yankees that sets off a parade. OK, let's not get ahead of ourselves.

But beating Sabathia is a good start. The Phils are 3-0 now in their last three games against CC.


On to what some of the players said afterward....


CHASE UTLEY, on his second home run, the end of a workman-like, nine-pitch at-bat against Sabathia: "I remember he was pitching me tough. He was throwing sinkers in, he was throwing sliders. The approach I had, the approach I was going to try to have against him was to try to lay off the slider because the slider is a tough one to hit on the barrel, and try to hit his fastball, and I was able to do that. He left one kind of in the middle of the plate, and you can't miss those pitches against that type of pitcher."


CLIFF LEE, who has a playoff ERA of 0.54, on is there was a point at the game when he felt like it was going to end very well: "I don't know if there was a point where I was like, wow, this is it; I've got them. With a lineup like that, I don't think I ever really had that feeling. But I knew when the first three or four innings that it was going to be a good day. I didn't know that I was going to be a complete game and go the way it was, but I knew that I had my stuff and was locating pitches.

"But with an offense like that, you can feel that way and make a couple mistakes, and it's going to turn south for you quick. I try not to think like that. I try not to think, wow, I've got this figured out, because usually when you start thinking you've got something figured out, it's going to blow up in your face. So I try to stay away from those kind of thoughts."


RYAN HOWARD, who picked up yet another playoff RBI with a ninth-inning double, on Chase Utley leading the offensive charge: "We don’t count on just one person. On any given night, that’s a the good thing we have different guys who can step up in different moments and tonight Chase was able to step up."


LEE, on whether he would pitch on short rest in Game 4: "That’s more of a question for Charlie (Manuel). I’m ready to pitch whenever they’ll let me."

The tradition before each postseason game is for the starting pitcher for the next night to hold court in a pregame press conference.

Pedro Martinez, the Phillies' Game 2 starter, talked for nearly a half hour. He used the time to call out the New York press corps for how they've treated him over the years and spoke about his 2003 incident with former Yankees coach Don Zimmer for the first time.

"I think in every aspect, the way you guys have used me and abused me since I've been coming to (town), just because I wore actually a red uniform just like this one while playing for Boston, it's been like -- I remember quotes in the paper, "Here comes the man that New York loves to hate." Man? None of you have probably ever eaten steak with me or rice and beans with me to understand what the man is about. You might say the player, the competitor, but the man? You guys have abused my name. You guys have said so many things, have written so many things.

"There was one time I remember when I was a free agent, there was talk that I might meet with Steinbrenner. One of your colleagues had me in the papers with horns and a tail, red horns and a tail. That's a sign of the devil. I'm a Christian man. I don't like those things. I take those things very serious.


"Those are the kind of things that the fans actually get used to seeing, and actually sometimes influence those people to believe that you are a bad person, that you are like an ogre. I see Mariano, and that's probably the player I admire the most because of how he goes about his business, how he does it, and he remains a humble Christian man admired by everyone in baseball.

"The way people perceive me in New York, I don't know if they got to know me a little bit better after I got to the Mets. It's totally different than the way I am; I just compete. And yes, I will do whatever it takes to beat you. But I'm a human being after I take my clothes off. A lot of people can witness that any time, anywhere, any moment."

Phils Game 1 Lineup

Rollins SS
Victorino CF
Utley 2B
Howard 1B
Werth RF
Ibanez DH
Francisco LF
Feliz 3B
Ruiz C

Cliff Lee is pitching

New York Yankees

1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Johnny Damon, LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Jorge Posada, C
6. Hideki Matsui, DH
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Nick Swisher, RF
9. Melky Cabrera, CF

CC Sabathia is pitching

Waiting on the Phils lineup...

I took some heat for picking the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS. And I deserved it; that was a one-sided mess.

Then again, it's what I believed would happen. The problem was I was making my prediction on stats and roster make-up and, well..... the stuff that you see on paper.

Not the stuff you see on the field.



Without further adieu, here's my breakdown of the World Series and the prediction. But there is one problem - the picture I'm including is this week's cover of Sports Illustrated (which is a bit of a jinx, if you haven't heard).





First Base: Ryan Howard (.279, 45 HR, 141 RBIs, 105 runs) vs. Mark Teixeira (.292, 39, 122, 103 runs, 43 2Bs): Howard has nearly been a one-man wrecking crew in the postseason. Teixeira has not. Although Teixeira is the better all-around player, Howard is hotter. Slight edge, Phils.


Second base: Chase Utley (.282, 31, 93, 112 runs, 23-for 23-SBs) vs. Robinson Cano (.320, 25, 85, 103 runs, 48 2Bs, 204 hits): One can easily make the argument that Cano has had the better season. But Utley brings the essence that’s not categorized in stats, similar to what Jeter brings to the Yanks. Slight edge, Phils.




Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins (250, 21 HRs, 77 RBIs, 31 SBs) vs. Derek Jeter (.334, 18, 66, 107 runs, 30 SBs, 212): It’s hard to pick against the Yankees latest version of Mr. October. Rollins, however, the far superior defender at arguable the most vital position on the diamond. Still, Jeter has had an MVP-like season and raises his game in the postseason. Slight Edge, Yanks.


Third base: Pedro Feliz (.266, 12, 82) vs. Alex Rodriguez (.286, 30, 100): Phils Hall of Famer Robin Roberts called Pedro Feliz the best defensive third basemen he’s ever seen. Feliz also had a decent year with the bat. But A-Rod is on the top three players in the game. Edge, Yanks.



Catcher: Carlos Ruiz (.255, 9, 43) vs. Jorge Posada (.285, 22, 81): There’s no denying the impact Ruiz has behind the plate as a defensive catcher and game-calling receiver. He’s also been one of the Phils’ best bats in the playoffs. But like Jeter, Posada has had the better season and has a healthy heaping of postseason experience, too. Slight edge, Yanks.



Left field: Raul Ibanez (.272, 34, 93) vs. Johnny Damon (.282, 24, 82, 107 runs): Damon brings a little bit more to the table with the fact that he can run. But his defense is borderline bad with a 50-cent arm. Ibanez is the bigger threat offensively and will likely be spelled on defense when he can play DH at Yankee Stadium. Slight edge, Phils.


Center field: Shane Victorino (.292, 10, 62, 102 runs, 25 SBs) vs. Melky Cabrera (.274, 13, 68). Victorino is a gold-glove defender who brings the team and the top of the order that’s difficult to translate statistically. The Melk Man may be a fan favorite in NYC, but he won’t get under Phils’ fans skin like Victorino may very well do in the Bronx. Edge, Phils.


Right field: Jayson Werth (.268, 36, 99, 20 SBs vs. Nick Swisher (.249, 29, 82): Perhaps Swisher is the Yanks’ response for the talkative Victorino. Swisher plays with a flair that’ll earn him enemies in South Philly. Werth is far and away the better player in every facet of the game. Edge, Phils.





Designated hitter: Ben Francisco (.257, 15, 46) vs. Hideki Matsui (.274, 28, 90). Francisco will likely be the extra bat in the order when the Phils play with a DH, although he could play left field for Ibanez. Francisco’s offensive skills are underrated: he brings both pop and speed to the order. But Matsui is the scarier threat. Edge, Yanks.


Starting rotation: Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Pedro Martinez, Joe Blanton (staff totals: 66-46, 4.29 ERA) vs. CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Chad Gaudin (63-42, 4.48): Members of the mass media have crowned Sabathia a national hero, but has he been that much better in the postseason than Cliff Lee? And while Burnett may sound like a safer choice for Game 2 than either Hamels or Martinez, the Phils have historically hit well against the former Florida Marlin. The Phils also have better depth. Edge, Phils.


Bullpen: Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, J.A. Happ, Scott Eyre, Chad Durbin, Chan Ho Park, Antonio Bastardo and Brett Myers (27-23, 3.91 ERA, 44 saves) vs. Mariano Rivera, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Alfredo Aceves, Phil Coke, David Robertson and Damaso Marte (40-17, 3.91, 51 saves): Neither one of these relief corps were lauded like those of the Red Sox or Dodgers when the postseason began, but there’s something to be said for the fact that their both still standing in the playoff dance. While the Phils battered corps has appeared to turn the corner in October, the Yanks’ has limped into the World Series. But the Yankees can still turn the ball over to Mariano Rivera in the ninth. Edge, Yanks.



THE PREDICTION

While Mother Nature tried her best to offer the Phils some October payback, Springfield grad Mike Scioscia – or more accurately, Vladimir Guerrero and Co. – didn’t exactly help the Phillies’ World Series chances.


If the L.A. Angels forced a Game 7 in the ALCS, CC Sabathia would have started for the Yankees Monday, and thus, wouldn’t be available for either of the first two games of the World Series. But here is some interesting info on Sabathia – he’s not unbeatable.

The Phils (you didn’t forget the Flyin’ Hawaiian’s slam, did you?) beat him in the postseason a year ago when he was with Milwaukee. They also scored three times off CC at Yankee Stadium in a 4-3 win in May.

So if Sabathia starts three times, don’t fret. Cliff Lee has been just as good and might be able to pitch three times, too, if the series goes seven games (which it won’t).

Frankly, the only clear advantage the Yankees have is closer Mariano Rivera. Just as they can match Sabathia with Lee, the Phils match A-Rod’s hot bat with one of their own in Ryan Howard.

Pedro Martinez and Cole Hamels are just as capable of winning games as A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte. Jimmy Rollins is as capable of getting a clutch, playoff hit as Derek Jeter (and Rollins covers more ground at short, too).

As long as the supporting cast around Howard (Chase Utley, Jayson Werth) does their part and the bullpen keeps up their October redemption, the team of now (the Phillies) can beat the dynasty of a decade ago (the Yankees), and beat them in relatively quick fashion.

The Phils have dropped one playoff game in each series dating back to the beginning of the ’08 playoffs. That trend sticks.

PHILS IN 5.

Brett Myers is back

The Phils placed Myers back on the roster for the World Series. He'll replace reserve infielder Miguel Cairo.

Later tonight I'll post my own prediction/breakdown of the '09 Turnpike Series (Phils/Yanks).

But for now, as I get settled into the cozy pressbox at Yankee Stadium (it's a pretty nice place), I'll leave you with the odds and ends from Vegas, courtesy of bodog.com



Who will win the World Series?

New York Yankees -210

Philadelphia Phillies +175




Which team will hit the most Home Runs in the 2008 World Series?

Philadelphia Phillies +115

New York Yankees -145



In which stadium will the most Home Runs be hit in the 2008 World Series?

Yankee Stadium -140

Citizens Bank Park +110



Will a game be postponed due to weather?

Yes -115

No -115





World Series MVP

Alex Rodriguez 4/1

Mark Teixeira 5/1

Ryan Howard 5/1

Derek Jeter 6/1

CC Sabathia 7/1

Cliff Lee 9/1

Chase Utley 10/1

Jimmy Rollins 10/1

Mariano Rivera 10/1


Cole Hamels 12/1

Jayson Werth 12/1

Johnny Damon 12/1

Raul Ibanez 12/1

Shane Victorino 12/1

AJ Burnett 15/1

Brad Lidge 15/1

Jorge Posada 15/1

Robinson Cano 15/1

Hideki Matsui 20/1

Andy Pettitte 22/1
Carlos Ruiz 25/1

Pedro Martinez 25/1

Pedro Feliz 25/1

Nick Swisher 30/1

Field 15/1



World Series – Who will hit more Home Runs in the Series?

Ryan Howard +100

Alex Rodriguez -130



World Series – Who will have more RBIs in the Series?

Ryan Howard +115

Alex Rodriguez -145



World Series – Who will steal more bases in the Series?

Jimmy Rollins -115

Derek Jeter -115



World Series – Who will have more Hits, Runs & RBI’s in the Series?

Jimmy Rollins +1.5 -130

Derek Jeter -1.5 Even



World Series – How many Hits will Derek Jeter have in the Series?

Over 6.5 -130

Under 6.5 Even



World Series – Who will have more Hits, Runs & RBI’s in the Series?

Jayson Werth +130

Mark Teixeira -160



World Series – Who will have more Hits, Runs & RBI’s in the Series?

Shane Victorino -115

Johnny Damon -115



World Series – Who will have more Hits, Runs & RBI’s in the Series?

Chase Utley -115

Robinson Cano -115




World Series – Who will record more Saves in the Series?

Brad Lidge +140

Mariano Rivera -170



World Series – Who will have a lower ERA in the Series?

Cliff Lee +125

C C Sabathia -155



World Series – Who will have a lower ERA in the Series?

Cole Hamels +115

Andy Pettitte -145



World Series – Who will have a lower ERA in the Series?

Pedro Martinez +110

A J Burnett -140



World Series –Will there be a Blown Save in the Series?

Yes +500

No -800



World Series – Total Strikeouts Game 1 – Cliff Lee

Over 4.5 -135

Under 4.5 +105



World Series – Total Strikeouts Game 1 – CC Sabathia

Over 6.5 -115

Under 6.5 -115



How many times will Kate Hudson be shown during game 1 of the World Series?

Over 2 -120

Apparently Charlie Manuel was tired of trying to answer the same question a different way for the third straight day....

The affable Phils manager finally caved. He told 1210-AM's Michael Smerconish this morning that Pedro Martinez will take the ball in Game 2 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium Thursday night.

Yankee fans, rest your lungs - you have 48 hours to prep your "Who's Your Daddy?!" chants.

No matter how you look at it, Manuel chose Martinez over Hamels. Both would be available to pitch on more than their normal rest.

But Hamels has struggled in the playoffs (6.52 ERA in three starts).

Martinez threw seven shutout innings in his lone playoff start this month - in a dazzling display of pitching in Game 2 of the NLCS at Dodger Stadium.

Martinez is 6-2 with a 3.13 ERA in 14 career postseason games. If you include his start against the Dodgers, Martinez is 5-1 with a 3.16 ERA in 10 starts since joining the Phillies in mid-July.

Manuel may have tipped his hand over the weekend when he didn't name Hamels his Game 2 starter and praised Pedro.

"He still has quite a bit left,” Manuel said. “With how good he pitched, he definitely deserves another chance to get back out there … It was only a couple of years ago that he pitched those games against the Yankees. He knows how to pitch, his command is good and he uses all of his pitches. His command is absolutely outstanding."

That ALCS felt like it took three weeks, huh?

Well it's over. Finally. The New York Yankees are back in the World Series for the first time since 2003.

They lost to the mighty Marlins that year.

They'll meet the Phillies this year.

Jeter vs. Rollins. Howard vs. A-Rod. Mariano vs. Lidge. Lee vs. Sabathia.

Plenty of star power, huh?

Should be a great series. Hopefully better than pretty much every series since '03 (there have been a lot of sweeps or lopsided 4-1 series since).

I'll give you my breakdown and prediction later this week. (Hint: don't believe the hype).

Until then, here's a look at what happened the last time the Phils and Yanks met in the Fall Classic.

Just a few quick hits after Charlie Manuel's 15 minutes with the press prior to Friday's workout:

-The manager did not seem opposed to Cliff Lee pitching on short rest.

Since the AL reigning Cy Young winner has been dazzling during the playoffs, the Phils could choose him to pitch Games 1, 4 and 7 in the World Series. But in order to do that, Cliff Lee would have to come back one day short of his normal rest for Game 4 and Game 7. Manuel sounded like he would strongly consider the idea.



-Pedro Martinez will make a start.

Manuel said J.A. Happ and Joe Blanton would most likely begin the series in the pen. He also liked what he saw in Pedro Martinez's only start of the playoffs - seven shutout innings at Dodgers Stadium in Game 2 of the NLCS - and said he "definitely thinks (Martinez) deserves another chance to go out there."





-Who will DH? All signs point to Ben Francisco.

Manuel said he's already given thought to using Raul Ibanez as a DH when the Phillies begin the first two games of the World Series at an American League ballpark (in NY or Anaheim). Ibanez has battled groin and abdomen injuries for most of the summer. Ben Francisco is far and away the top reserve - he can hit, run and plays a superb left field.



Also, for your daily reading:

Perhaps the most pleasantly surprising October turnaround for the Phillies? The reclamation project that is the team's closer, Brad Lidge.


Remember those Phils before '07 that couldn't clear the final hurdle? These Phils are fearless come October...

Like a good play-by-play broadcaster (we miss ya, Harry), I'm not going to waste too much space here rambling on about the Phillies journey back to the World Series.

There's a whole week to talk about that.

You can read about Wednesday night's Game 5 in the Daily Times -- on your newsstand and at delcotimes.com

Since there's a tent out beyond center field with a cold beverage and some free food with my name on it, this will be brief.

The Phils have completed their spring training goal of returning to the World Series. At this point - can you bet against them?

The bullpen looks solid. Brad Lidge looks resurrected. Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth are the Bash Brothers, reincarnated (and clean).


Here is a sampling of the sights and sounds from the ballpark.

Enjoy this team, fans. This is the best era in Phillies history.


Jayson Werth, whose first-inning home run set the tone for the night: "We know where we’re going and we know what we have to do. Right now we’re going to soak it all in and enjoy the moment. But we want to do it again. We have a job to do."


Brad Lidge, who recorded the final out in a 1-2-3 ninth, on winning back-to-back NL pennants for the first time in franchise history: "It’s amazing. This stuff doesn’t always happen. We have to take a lot of pride in this and celebrate for a couple days. This is pretty awesome right here."


Ryan Howard, whose RBI barrage helped him earn NLCS MVP honors: "It’s a great accomplishment, a great feeling. Now I want to go and help my team get to the next step."



Ruben Amaro Jr., the first-year GM who made the right moves in adding Raul Ibanez and Cliff Lee, among others: "I love my home town and I love my hometown fans."


Jimmy Rollins, on the Phils chance to earn national respect in the World Series: "You want people to look back at your team and your players and say, 'You know what? That team was pretty good. Everybody knows about the Yankees and Boston and all the great players. Obviously, we want that here. When people refer to Philadelphia, it will not be as the team that was the first to lose 10,000 games, but the team that was able to play with the best in their time."


Charlie Manuel, the only manager in Phils history to guide the team to back to back World Series appearances: "We'll play anybody, anywhere, anytime."

Brad Lidge was walking out of the media press conference room when he overheard someone announce that Jimmy Rollins was coming in next.

"What did he do?" Lidge said.

All Rollins did was move the Phillies one win away from a return trip to the World Series.

For the second time in consecutive Mondays, the Phils rallied from behind when they were down to their last out to pull off a wild win. For the second time in consecutive Mondays, insanity ensued at home plate, where the Phils gang-tackled Rollins.


All that was missing was the champagne. If the Phils have their way, that'll come in less that 48 hours.

After today's random day off, the NLCS resumes with Game 5 here at Citizens Bank Park Wednesday night. Lose, and the Phils have to fly back to L.A.

For the second straight year, the Game 4 NLCS win came off L.A. closer Jonathan Broxton. Call him the West Coast Mitch Williams.

It's been a long, headache-enducing day at the park personally, so I'm wrapping up and will do the usual postgame quote and picture show.

I'll close out with my own words by admitting I picked the Dodgers in six because of the numbers I saw on paper. But you can't teach the late-inning guts this Phils team has.... to whoever wins the ALCS, good-freakin'-luck.



Jimmy Rollins, the hero of the night, who collect the game-winning, walk-off hit with the Phils down by a run with two outs in the ninth: "He's a closer, 100 miles per hour, he's going to give you his best. If he's going to lose, he's going to lose with his best. I was able to catch one in the gap perfectly."

"I just said I'm going to sit on his pitch, if a fastball lands, catch it and really just look for a single up the middle to tie the game. But I was able to get more."




Charlie Manuel, on witnessing more late-inning magic from his All-Star-filled lineup: "We always talk about how it takes 27 outs to close out the game. And you stay there until it's over."



Rollins, on the late-inning heroics by his team: "We believe in ourselves. We believe in our ability."


Matt Stairs, who put Broxton in his book last year with a homer, this year with a walk and watched Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins come through in similar spots two Mondays in a row: “I think the biggest thing is we don’t panic in those situations. Those guys get up there and they believe in themselves. That’s a big thing when you step in and believe in yourself, believe you’re going to come through in the clutch. If there’s any doubt in your mind that’s when the pitcher has the advantage.”


Brad Lidge, who earned the win by striking out the only two batters he faced, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, on Broxton's mental state given the last two NLCS series: "Somebody asked if that would play into my psyche. The only thing I could say is, for me, I would just try not to give him the exact same pitch."



Rollins, on getting killed in the pile of players that nearly suffocated him at home plate: "It felt good – it definitely felt good. The pile and the beatdown, that can be pretty dangerous, when Ryan Howard is the first guy. I went in the fetal position and started to throw punches... It’s a lot of fun. It’s what we do."




Scott Franzke's call on 1210 AM: "The righthander checks the runner and here’s the pitch. Swing and a drive to right-center field. This one is falling and its a base hit! It’ll go up the alley! Bruntlett will score. Ruiz around third, he’s being waved home! The Phillies have won the ballgame! Ruiz slides — Rollins has won it! They stream out of the dugout. Rollins mobbed at third. This game is over as the Phillies strike again with two outs in the ninth inning. And they have a three games to one lead. The Phillies have beaten the Dodgers with two outs in the ninth and they have done it to Broxton again in Game 4. Wow! What a finish!"


Joe Torre, on the defeat, which moves the Dodgers one loss away from elimination:
"It’s a tough one to get past."

You want to win in the postseason? Here's a great recipe for success:

Send the major league's best run producer to the plate during a hot streak and ride a reigning Cy Young Award winner as many times as you can.

Ryan Howard moved on step closer to making major league history while Cliff Lee kept up his best impression of Cole Hamels Version.08 as the Phils rolled to a 11-0 win in Sunday's Game 3 of the NLCS.

The win set a new Phils' record for margin of victory in a playoff game (besting last year's 10-2 win in Game 4 of the World Series).

The Phils out-hit the Dodgers 11-3. Ryan Howard got the offensive barrage started with a two-run triple in the first inning.

The two RBIs gave Howard 12 RBIs in seven games this postseason. He's also hitting a cool .385.

But here's the more impressive stat: with RBIs in seven straight playoff games, Howard has set a record for most consecutive games with an RBI in a single postseason; he's one RBI away from tying Lou Gehrig (Lou Freaking Gehrig!) for most consecutive playoff games with an RBI (eight).

Jayson Werth also hit a titanic home run and Carlos Ruiz (two hit) kept his Senor Octubre nickname hot.

What else do we have? How about playoff rookie Cliff Lee's ERA: 0.74.

Lee allowed three hits in eight shutout innings and tied a Phillies record with 10 strikeouts (Curt Schilling and Steve Carlton are the only other Phils pitchers to strike out 10 in a playoff game).


Here's some noise from the interview room and clubhouse:


Ryan Howard, who belly-flopped his way into third on a two-run triple that got the Phils started in the first inning: "(It was) full-out panic going around second base. No, I mean, it was a lot of fun. I saw where the ball was. I saw where (Andre) Ethier was. It was one of those things where I had to make my mind up if this is going to happen or not. So once I hit second, it was pretty much going full bore."




Cliff Lee, on being unbeaten with a minuscule ERA in his first postseason: "I don't think I ever doubted myself. I always had confidence in myself and felt like I could pitch in a big game. But you never know until you get the opportunity. It's a challenge. It's what you play all year for is a chance to get to the postseason, and once you get there, you've got to step up and try to -- for me I've just got to try to give the team a chance to win. It's really that simple.



"When you've got the offense that we've got, I don't want to go out there and walk guys and have long innings and stuff like that. I've got to go out there and attack hitters and throw strikes and give our offense a chance to score runs.
Tonight we did that pretty early and made things a lot easier for me."



Charlie Manuel, on Ryan Howard's torrid stretch: "Ryan is swinging the bat very good right now. He's staying on the ball real good. It's good to see. He couldn't pick a better time to hit good. It's outstanding. Keep it up."




Jayson Werth, on the defending champs' winning approach: "We have a great clubhouse, a great atmosphere, and it's conducive to winning. We come to play hard everyday. We're in good spirits around here. We've got a good vibe and a real positive outlook on the game. It speaks volumes for the way we play on the field.

"Really, it's how we are all of the time. We're very in the moment and very focused. We're just a good ballteam that comes to play hard everyday, bring everything to the table and leave everything on the field."



Joe Torre, on the Dodgers being a part of the most lopsided defeat the Phils handed a team in their playoff history: "You never want to get your rear end kicked, there's no doubt about it. But these games, you don't toss and turn wondering, if I had made this move or that move. This is one you can put away a lot quicker even though it's a lot uglier than most. But... it's only one game, and we're still in a position to tie the series tomorrow, and that's what we need to do basically."

Eight is a good number in Phillies history, as we learned last year. Remember the whole "80...08" phenomenon?

Here's how eight factors into this NLCS: in the last seven Phillies playoff series, the team that wins Game 1 wins the series.


It happened in the NLCS (vs. Braves) and World Series (vs. Blue Jays) in '93, in the NLDS in '07 (vs. Rockies), in the NLDS (Brewers), NLCS (Dodgers) and World Series (Rays) in 08.

That's seven straight. One more makes eight... and in case you missed it, the Phils won Game 1 of the current NLCS out here in La-La Land.


The last time the Phils played in a postseason series and the Game 1 winner did not win the series? Back in the 1983 World Series, when Cal Ripken, Eddie Murray and Co. won four straight after losing the first game.


Maybe there is something to the magic of The Eights.

Remember all that talk in the last 48 hours about how the Phillies matched up with the Dodgers?

Remember all those predictions from those media know-it-all types (oh wait... that would be me)?

Throw those old paper in the garbage, even if it's not recycling day. The Phillies beat L.A. 8-6 in Game 1 of the NLCS by turning over everything you thought you knew was right going into the series.


What happened tonight at Dodger Stadium is one of the reasons baseball is the best game going. Everything that you think should happen doesn't; all that "on paper" stuff is just that -- on paper, not on the field.

All week the Dodgers bullpen was being applauded for leading the league in ERA, for having a fireballer in the closer's role, Jonathan Broxton, and two lefties to shut down the lefty-heavy Phils middle of the order.

So what happened? The Phils scored three very important runs off the Dodgers pen, and, fittingly, when a lefty, Raul Ibanez, poked a three-run home run off one of the Dodgers southpaws, George Sherrill.

And on the flip side, you couldn't swing a dead skunk around Dodgertown without hitting someone who had something smart ass and defamatory to say about the Phils bullpen. Brad Lidge led the league in blown saves, Ryan Madson shrunk when given the closer's role, Scott Eyre had a dangling elbow, yada, yada, yada...

And then what happens Thursday?

The Phillies bullpen is handed a 5-4 lead from Cole Hamels and makes it stand up. Chan Ho Park returns from a month-long absence (hamstring) and is dominant; J.A. Happ keeps his Rookie of the Year status intact; Lidge stays perfect, three-for-three, in postseason save chances.

All that surprising stuff at the end of the game plus a three-run home run from Carlos Ruiz and two more RBIs from Mr. September/October Ryan Howard in the same, five-run fifth inning. I'd say that's a good start from a Phillies team I picked to lose this series in six games.

Oops.


Here's a little postgame reaction from the clubhouse:

Raul Ibanez, on his three-run homer off Sherrill and the Phils lefties abilities to hit left-handed relievers: "We've faced a lot of left-handers throughout the course of the season, and so you try to ignore whatever the other team is trying to do and just try to focus on your game and what you're trying to do.
You know, it's definitely important to come in here and win the first game, you know, against -- they're a tough team, and it's definitely important to win the first game, especially we started on the road. They had a great crowd today, and to be able to kind of win the first game is a nice thing for us."



Brad Lidge, on how the Dodgers have been touted to have the league's best pen while the Phils relief corps has been criticized all season: "When you bullpen is healthy and going on all cylinders, I think we’re the best one. We proved it last year. I think we had a rough season, I had a rough season, but once the postseason rolls around, it’s all different."



Ryan Madson, on the bullpen preserving the lead: "You just have to stay on it. Make pitches one at a time, do what it takes and leave the inning with the lead."


Cole Hamels, on whether he was bothered by Manny Ramirez admiring the home run he hit: "We’ll just wait and see."

Pedro in Game 2

It's official: Pedro Martinez will be given the ball in Game 2 of the NLCS. Martinez was originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as a teenager in the early 90s.

Phillies

1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Shane Victorino, CF
3. Chase Utley, 2B
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. Jayson Werth, RF
6. Raul Ibanez, LF
7. Pedro Feliz, 3B
8. Carlos Ruiz, C
9. Cole Hamels, P




Dodgers

1. Rafael Furcal, SS
2. Andre Ethier, RF
3. Manny Ramirez, LF
4. Matt Kemp, CF
5. Casey Blake, 3B
6. James Loney, 1B
7. Ronnie Belliard, 2B
8. Russell Martin, C
9. Clayton Kershaw, P

The Phillies next step to return to the World Series begins in about five hours. This should be a very entertaining series - think Game 4 of the NLDS - since these are the two top teams in the league, both with star power, young talent and veteran playoff experience.

Thinks about it - Pedro vs. Manny. Isn't that just great theater?

Anyway, on to the matchups.


Catcher: Carlos Ruiz vs. Russell Martin. The Dodgers backstop hasn't been an All-Star caliber player in the last two years. While Martin's numbers have been on the decline, Ruiz has established himself as a very underrated defensive catcher who also has a knack for hitting in the postseason (a career .279 hitter in the playoffs). Edge: Phillies.


First base: Ryan Howard vs. James Loney. This might be closer than you think. Loney hit .281, drove in 90 runs and plays a very good first base. But Howard is an MVP candidate with the best power production in baseball and a knack for rising to the occasion when his team needs him most. Edge: Phillies.


Second base: Chase Utley vs. Ronnie Belliard/Orlando Hudson. This is the most lopsided matchup. Hudson started the season strong, but Belliard took the job at the beginning of the postseason. Utley is clearly the best second baseman in baseball. Edge: Phillies.


Third base: Pedro Feliz vs. Casey Blake. Don't discount Feliz's defense. It's been an underrated factor in the Phillies success in the last two years. But Blake's bat is more consistent and potent. Edge: Dodgers.


Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins vs. Rafael Furcal. Physically, these two guys are very similar. Excellent defensive players with speed and a knack for fueling the top of their respective lineups. But Rollins, a former MVP, is more likely to take over a game with his bat. Edge: Phillies.


Left field: Raul Ibanez vs. Manny Ramirez. This is tough. Manny hasn't been Manny while Ibanez's bat slowed in the second half. Ibanez did, however, heat up in the NLDS. Still, Manny is the more imposing force and scarier to opposing pitchers. Edge: Dodgers.


Center field: Shane Victorino vs. Matt Kemp. Victorino deserves a gold glove more than any other Phillies player. He was also arguably the team's MVP until Howard heated up in August. But Kemp is a similarly-tooled player who has power, too. Edge: Dodgers.


Right field: Jayson Werth vs. Andre Ethier. These two are clones. Similar, game-changing power and ability to hit in the clutch. Both streaky. The only difference is one is left-handed and the other is right-handed. Werth may get a slight edge because of his speed, but Ethier has two walkoff hits against the Phils this year. Edge: Even.


Starting pitching: Padilla-Wolf vs. Lee-Hamels? Really? The Phils appear to have the gargantuan advantage here. But don't sleep on Clayton Kershaw. This 21-year-old Texan has Cole Hamels-like talent and there's no reason he can't be to the Dodgers what Hamels was to the Phils in last year's LCS. Edge: Phillies.

Bullpen: This might be as lopsided at the starting pitching. The Dodgers have nearly at least three guys coming out of the pen that throw as hard as Ryan Madson. They also have two lefties, in George Sherrill and Hong-Chih Kuo, who they didn't have last year that can come in to silence Howard, Utley and Ibanez. Brad Lidge is also not out of the woods. Edge: Dodgers.



Prediction: OK, I realize that "edge" math adds up to 5-4 in favor of the Phillies. But I'm not liking how Cliff Lee isn't available to pitch one of the first two games (similarly, I'm not sure why Joe Torre didn't put Randy Wolf in Game 2). I'm also not sold on the Phils being-held-together-by-duct tap bullpen can hold up in a longer series.

The Dodgers have an underrated offense. They also are a lot like the '08 Phils: their first dance in the postseason came a year ago, and they're better and more determined because of it.

Dodgers in 6.

Just a quick note on the roster:

The Phils trimmed it by a pitcher for the NLCS.

Brett Myers and Kyle Kendrick were left off the roster; Chan Ho Park and Eric Bruntlett were added.

I'm not surprised by either drop. Kendrick didn't pitch in the NLDS and isn't needed since whoever doesn't start among the rotation memebers can act as a 'long man.'

Myers made one appearance in the NLDS, and was far from sharp. He's been battling health issues all season and Park is the wiser choice.

Bruntlett gives the Phils a pinch runner. If you're a whining Phillies fan wondering why a guy hitting .170 is on the roster, were you also ripping Charlie Manuel for pinch running with Cliff Lee last week?

Former Phillie Randy Wolf may have started Game 1 of the NLDS, but L.A. manager Joe Torre is going with the young gun for Game 1 of the NLCS.

Twenty-one-year-old fellow lefty Clayton Kershaw will start Thursday night. Kershaw was 8-8 with a 2.79 ERA in 31 games (30 starts) in his first full season with the Dodgers.

He pitched out of the 'pen for L.A. against the Phillies in last year's NLCS.

In Game 2 of the NLDS, Kershaw limited St. Louis to two earned runs in 6 2/3 innings of a 3-2 Dodgers win. In two starts against the Phils this season, Kershaw is 0-2 with a 5.23 ERA.

But don't let those numbers deceive you. Kershaw is young and has Cole Hamels-type talent.

There's no reason he can't have an NLCS this season like Hamels had a year ago.

The Phils haven't officially announced it yet, but Hamels, who hasn't pitched since Thursday, is a near-lock to start Game 1.

So we're a little less than 48 hours away from the start of the NLCS.

Imagine that: the Phillies will play in back to back NLCSs. Crazy. I remember how big of a deal it was when I was a sophomore in high school that the Phils beat the Braves in the '93 NLCS.

I went wild when Dykstra was hitting all of those home runs. (Wonder where Mark Wolhers is these days?)

So to think how the Phils will play for a chance to go to the World Series two years in a row? You young Phils fans are spoiled!

I digress.

Here is the schedule for the series. All games are on TBS.


GAME 1: Thursday at Dodger Stadium, 8:07 p.m. (all time eastern standard time)

GAME 2: Friday at Dodger Stadium, 4:07 p.m.

GAME 3: Sunday at Citizens Bank Park, 8:07 p.m.

GAME 4: Monday, Oct. 19 at Citizens Bank, 8:07 p.m.

GAME 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, Oct. 21 at Citizens Bank Park, 8:07 p.m.

GAME 6 (if necessary): Friday, Oct. 23 at Dodger Stadium, 8:07 p.m.

GAME 7 (if necessary): Saturday, Oct. 24 at Dodger Stadium, 8:07 p.m.


The next question? Who pitches? And when?

Here is my best guess for how the Phils will line their starters up. Remember, pure guess (or maybe it's how I'd line them up).

GAME 1: Cole Hamels
GAME 2: Pedro Martinez
GAME 3: Cliff Lee
GAME 4: Joe Blanton/J.A. Happ
GAME 5: Hamels
GAME 6: Cliff Lee
GAME 7: Martinez

I've watched a lot of baseball in 32 years. I'm not sure I've ever seen one quite like that up close and in person.

The Phillies gave the game away and then they stared down their last out and didn't like what they saw. So they took it back.

You can read more about the game in tomorrow's paper, or online at delcotimes.com

But here are some photos, courtesy of the AP, and some quotes, courtesy of yours truly.


Cliff Lee, on Ryan Howard's game-tying, ninth-inning hit:
“He came down to the end of the bench and said, ‘Get me to the plate, boys.' I don’t even know how to explain it to you. That was the biggest hit, Howard hitting that ball like that… that was one of the most clutch hits I’ve ever seen.”



Ryan Madson, on the offense's eruption in the ninth: “He wanted to hit in that moment. That’s what type of team we got. They want that to happen, they want that situation to come up and they’re not afraid of it.”


Ryan Howard, on what just might have been the biggest hit of his career:
“I think a lot of people want to be in that situation, with the game on the line, two outs. I just told myself to be as relaxed and calm as you possibly can, just go up there and try to get a good pitch to hit and don’t miss it.”




Jayson Werth, who followed Howard's two-run double with a go-ahead RBI single: “To me, every game we play is like the biggest games of our lives… you try to stay in the moment. Right now this is one of the biggest games I’ve ever played in. Unbelievable win.”


Brad Lidge, who closed out the final two games of the NLDS with saves in one-run games, on Carlos Ruiz's visit to the mound before the final pitch: “He said, ‘Give me your good one.' That’s all he said.”

Just back from the dugout, where GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said Scott Eyre, who suffered a mild right ankle sprain Sunday night, would be able to pitch if called upon for today's Game 4.

If Eyre was seriously injured, the Phils would have the wherewithal to replace him in the roster, with say, Clay Condrey. But the drawback is if you replace a player because of an injury, they are ineligible to play in the next round. (Read: If the Phils had to replace Scott Eyre today, he wouldn't be able to pitch in the NLCS).

Also from this afternoon: Charlie Manuel was asked if Brad Lidge would get the ball in the ninth inning tonight. He didn't commit, saying it could be Lidge or Ryan Madson, but Lidge's effort Sunday night and the confidence boost that came as a result makes me think that there's no chance anyone but Lidge gets the call should a save situation arise later tonight at Coors Field.

So I just spent the last 15 minutes searching for a photo to post on here of Brad Lidge. I saw it in the Denver Post this morning.

It captured the moment perfectly - Lidge letting out a rebel's yell with the winter air present in his you-can-see-it breath, as well as a dejected Rockies base runner in the background.

But there wasn't any way of saving the photo to my desktop or ripping it off their website. So if you're interested, log on to denverpost.com and check out their photo gallery from the game.

But last night is over; the Rockies could very well grab the momentum back in this series if they win today's Game 4, forcing a winner-takes-all Game 5 in Philly Tuesday night.

It's going to be awful tough for Colorado, though. Cliff Lee is getting the ball for the Phils.

In case you haven't noticed, Lee is unaffected by the big stage.

While you were sleeping, the Phillies moved one win away from punching their ticket to a return trip to the NLCS.

If the Phils win today, it's a rematch with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

On Sunday night, the Phils most consistent pitcher all season, J.A. Happ, struggled. He was out of the game after three innings.

The Phillies least dependable pitcher, however, saved the game.

Brad Lidge, who has suffered through the worst year of his career following his best season, nailed down his first save opportunity of the postseason and gave Phils fans a reason to hope he can revive his '08 form for the rest of the month in a 6-5 win.

With the game-tying run on second, Lidge got two very big outs. Former MVP Jason Giambi, called on to pinch hit, fouled out to third; with two outs, Troy Tulowitzki hit a shallow fly ball to left to end the game.

Lidge used a cutter, a pitch he's thrown in the bullpen but hadn't trotted out in games until the last week of the regular season, to get Giambi out.

The game ended at 2:15 a.m. on the east coast. It was played through bitter cold temperatures - it was 35 degrees, tying a postseason record low, at first pitch.

But Ryan Howard's ninth-inning sac fly and Lidge's performance in the bottom of the inning made the portion of the 50,109 fans at Coors Field in Phillies red forget about the weather.

Since Sunday night's game ended after bars closed in Philly - and just before our papers printed - you won't read any reaction/quotes in today's paper.

So here is what was said and heard in the winning clubhouse after the victory that moved the Phils one win away from dispatching the Rockies.


Brad Lidge, on beginning a new chapter in 2009 with his first postseason appearance: "It felt great. I really feel like the last week or so I had a couple of outings at home and I felt real comfortable, real good. I kind of start to get that feeling again that things were going to go right... When the postseason starts, it's a completely new slate."



Shane Victorino, who moved Jimmy Rollins over on the ninth with a sac bunt, on Lidge: "There have been a lot of questions about who’s going to be the closer and who’s going to be the guy. All along I wanted Brad to have the ball. He came out tonight and showed what he was brought here to do, to close games.
You throw everything that’s happened this year, you throw that (stuff) out the door. It’s about right now. He did what he needed to do and that’s definitely big in crucial situations."


Ryan Madson, who surrendered the game-tying run in the seventh, on Lidge in the ninth: "It’s huge, especially here, he lives here and got to do it in front of a lot of family and friends. I bet her felt that support behind him. It was good to get him in there and have a good outing. Hopefully he’ll roll with that all the way. I’m happy for him... he got it done."


Ryan Howard, on Lidge: "He’s been in these situations before. You have ups and downs in a season. He had a perfect season last year and I think people may have expected him to continue that. But you have to be real. It wasn’t going to happen. But right now he’s there when we need him."


Chase Utley, on Lidge's save: "Brad was great. I felt like he had the game under control. When it got a little iffy there at the end he made some good pitches."


Howard, on his game-winning sacrifice fly and on a Phillies offense that's played fundamentally-sound baseball since the postseason began: "With a runner on third and less than two outs, I was just trying to get a good pitch to drive. I tried to stay up the middle of the field. I just tried to get than run home.

"Right now you have to do what you have to do to get runs home and win games. I think everyone looks at us as a team that’s going to hit a lot of home runs, but we know that’s not going to happen every time. We have to figure out ways to play some small ball and get runs in and get runs home."


Utley, who put the Phils in front 1-0 with a first-inning home run, on the offense's small ball approach in the ninth: "We have a very good team. We can do a lot of different things. We can hit home runs obviously. But guys can run, steal bases... we have good hitters."


J.A. Happ, who picked a bad time for arguably his worst start of the season: "
"I was close, but not quite there. It wasn’t what I expected of myself... It wasn’t obviously the position I wanted to put us in, but we did a great job of battling. (Joe) Blanton came in and did a great job. Everybody is picking each other up. It was a great win for sure."



Happ, on whether he thinks he could be available for Game 5 since the Phils may need a lefty after Scott Eyre left with an appearent ankle injury: "Yeah. Absolutely."

So here's the deal: Game 4 of the NLDS in Denver will be played Monday, both start times that should finally fit into Philadelphians TV watching schedules.

The game will be at either 4 p.m. or 6 p.m. your time.

If the Yankees win today, the Phils play at 6:07 EST.

If the Yankees do not win, and have to play tomorrow, Phils are at 4:07 EST.




I'm actually a little surprised that neither scenario has the Phils at 8 p.m.... I guess MLB finally had some common sense and realized both teams may very well have to travel and play in Philly on Tuesday.

Charlie Manuel has finally set his rotation for the NLDS.

After J.A. Happ pitches Game 3, Cliff Lee will take the ball for Game 4. Manuel announced that during a teleconference a few minutes ago.

This obviously helps the Phillies quite a bit: Lee shut the Rockies down for eight innings before losing a shutout in the ninth in Game 1's win.

If the Phils had played today, Lee wouldn't have been available until Game 5. Now, if they win Sunday, they have a very good chance of putting the series away with Lee in Game 4.

It also solves any possible Game 5 dilemma. If the Phils play a win-or-go home Game 5, Cole Hamels gets the ball.

The Phillies have altered their rotation with today's snow postponement.

J.A. Happ, not Pedro Martinez, will start Sunday night's Game 3 against the Colorado Rockies. Martinez was originally on tap to start.

The Phillies will most likely throw all left-handers at the Rockies this series. Since Game 4 is now on Monday and not Sunday, Cliff Lee could come back and start then instead of Game 5.

If there is a Game 5, Cole Hamels would most likely get the call.

The Rockies are 27-26 against left-handed starters this year and hit around 10 points lower overall.

Happ shut out the Rockies, striking out a season-high 10 batters, on August 5.

Apparently Major League Baseball won't let itself get embarrassed by trying to play a playoff game through bad weather again.


Today's Game 3 of the NLDS at Coors Field has been postponed.It's currently 23 degrees here (at 10:40 in the morning) and they're calling for snow tonight.

Game 3 will now take place at the original time Game 4 was on tap for -- Sunday, 10:07 EST.

No time has been scheduled for Game 4, which will take place here in Denver on Monday.


The postponement gives the Phillies one advantage: they can move Game 1 starter Cliff Lee up if they want. Lee, who threw a complete game at the Rockies in Wednesday's Game 1, could come back in Game 4 on full rest.

Pedro Martinez was on tap to pitch Game 3 tonight; no word on if he'll still get that start. J.A. Happ could get the call instead.

Pedro's the guy

Charlie Manuel announced that Pedro Martinez will start Game 3. More later.

Quite an interesting afternoon with Phillies pitchers today.

Their two most consistent starters this season, Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ, pitched out of the bullpen. Both are already finished, too.

Worse, Happ left after getting hit in the left knee by a line drive to the only batter he faced.

But Thursday afternoon's starting pitcher isn't even in the building.

Cole Hamels was rushed out of the park just after the fifth inning; he left in a cop car. Is Hamels in trouble?

Nah... his wife, Heidi Hamels, has gone into labor.

No word if the baby will be asked to pitch out of the pen in Game 3.


Hamels, by the way, allowed four runs on seven hits in five innings. Perhaps his mind was preoccupied.

The lineups for Game 2 are nearly identical to the ones trotted out by Charlie Manuel and Jim Tracy yesterday, with the exception of Rockies All-Star Brad Hawpe, who has struggled mightily in the second half (.240-9-27 post All-Star, .320-14-59 pre-All-Star), replaced by Ryan Spilborghs.


Colorado:

1. Carlos Gonzalez, LF
2. Dexter Fowler, CF
3. Todd Helton, 1B
4. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
5. Garrett Atkins, 3B
6. Yorvit Torrealba, C
7. Ryan Spilborghs, RF
8. Clint Barmes, 2B
9. Aaron Cook, P



Philadelphia:

1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Shane Victorino, CF
3. Chase Utley, 2B
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. Jayson Werth, RF
6. Raul Ibanez, LF
7. Pedro Feliz, 3B
8. Carlos Ruiz, C
9. Cole Hamels, P

While Game 2 hasn't even began yet, the biggest question Charlie Manuel faced this morning regarded Game 3. Who is his starting pitcher?

J.A. Happ loosened up in the pen during the ninth inning of Game 1. Both Happ and Blanton will be ready if needed out of the pen today.

Pedro Martinez hasn't been an option out of the pen during the series. According to Manuel, all three are in play for Game 3.

"We'll probably know (Friday) after practice or something," said Manuel, who didn't appear to be in any kind of a rush. "I haven't talked to (pitching coach Rich) Dubee about it. We haven't got together on it yet. One day at a time. That's how we've been playing for the last three or four years."


Here is your pregame reading material:

Cliff Lee shines in his playoff debut to lead the Phils in Game 1.

The Phils didn't stand pat in trying to repeat, adding the right pieces to the mix, and two played big roles Wednesday.

The Game 1 notebook, led by Jayson Werth's toolsy afternoon at the park.

Jimmy Rollins cuts through the wind to display his shiny golden glove.

The Rockies' ace gets rattled in two game-changing innings.

I agree with Cole Hamels -- why is it the Phillies always have to start the postseason in the middle of the afternoon? Why must MLB continue to cater to the Red Sox and Yankees?


Here's what Cole said when asked about playing day games in the first two games of the NLDS:

"Being the defending world champs, I think it's kind of a little weird that we kind of get both games at 2:00 o'clock. I don't think it's fair. I definitely don't think it's fair for the fans, because this is all about the home field advantage or just baseball in general.

I understand TV ratings, but I think at the end of the day, most players would rather play when they're both comfortable, and that's kind of what we've trained at, either 1:00 o'clock or 7:00 o'clock, and I think that's more fair for us than really the TV ratings, because truly, I don't think we mind as much for TV ratings.

We want to get ourselves to the World Series and win it, and that's all that matters. It's not how much money we can make in the process of playing this game, because truly, being a world champ, that's what we really live for, and to be able to experience it, I want to be able to experience it again. And I know that all these baseball players that are playing today want to be able to experience that. What better way than to get more of a situation that we're kind of used to in playing, to have the fans at the stadium, because that's what really matters is having them there to watch.

We can understand that people want to watch it on TV, but I don't know too many people that are going to be watching this game at 11:00 on the west coast."

Although they've moved World Series start times up by a half hour, Major League Baseball continues to whiff in scheduling postseason games.

The fact that MLB gave the Yankees the decision on when they wanted to play (Wednesday or Thursday) while their opponent had to take part in a play-in game Tuesday was ludicrous. Where is the common sense? The Red Sox/Angels game should have been scheduled for today to give the Twins/Tigers winner a travel day.

Colorado:

1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Carlos Gonzalez, LF
3. Todd Helton, 1B
4. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
5. Garrett Atkins, 3B
6. Yorvit Torrealba, C
7. Brad Hawpe, RF
8. Clint Barmes, 2B
9. Ubaldo Jimenez, P


Philadelphia:

1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Shane Victorino, CF
3. Chase Utley, 2B
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. Jayson Werth, RF
6. Raul Ibanez, LF
7. Pedro Feliz, 3B
8. Carlos Ruiz, C
9. Cliff Lee, P

Quite a few surprises as the Phils departed from Tuesday's workout at Citizens Bank Park.

Here are a few: Kyle Kendrick and Antonio Bastardo in, Tyler Walker and Clay Condrey out.

Eric Bruntlett out, Miguel Cairo in.


Here is the 25-man playoff roster:

1. Jimmy Rollins
2. Chase Utley
3. Ryan Howard
4. Pedro Feliz
5. Carlos Ruiz
6. Raul Ibanez
7. Jayson Werth
8. Shane Victorino
9. Paul Bako
10. Ben Francisco
11. Matt Stairs
12. Greg Dobbs
13. Miguel Cairo
14. Cole Hamels
15. Cliff Lee
16. J.A. Happ
17. Joe Blanton
18. Pedro Martinez
19. Brad Lidge
20. Ryan Madson
21. Brett Myers
22. Scott Eyre
23. Chad Durbin
24. Kyle Kendrick
25. Antonio Bastardo

Charlie Manuel wasn't short on delivering some news on Tuesday's workout day before the start of the NLDS Wednesday afternoon.

For one, Cliff Lee will start Game 1. Not Cole Hamels.

"I sat down a long time thinking about it. Cliff Lee will be on his sixth day, we want to keep Hamels on his regular turn," Manuel said. "We didn’t want to bring him back a day short even though he threw (47) pitches the other day. It’s mostly because he’s thrown over 200 innings and we’ve always kind of monitored him and we want him as strong and healthy as we possible can be and we want him in a good frame of mind. Either one of them could throw the fifth game if there is one."

My gut: Manuel wanted Hamels.

But a short outing on Saturday or not, Hamels has never pitched on short rest in his career and is extremely set in his regimented ways. Not unlike the box in "A Christmas Story," Hamels is kind of fragile that way and why mess with his mind when you have a pretty darn good pitcher in Lee as your backup plan?


The other interesting news: Both Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ will start the series in the bullpen. Manuel didn't seem to be too thrilled with the health and effectiveness of his bullpen in the last few weeks, even as new arms returned from the DL.

This solves that problem in an unexpected way. Manuel is hoping Lee and Hamels do their thing in the first two games and pitch at least eight innings. But if he needs to, he'll turn to Happ or Blanton.

If he needs either one or both, Pedro Martinez can pitch Game 3. If he doesn't need either one, or, say, only uses Blanton but not Happ, Happ can pitch Game 3, too.

Manuel has not set his rotation up beyond Lee in Game 1 and Hamels in Game 2.

The Phils wrapped up the regular season this afternoon; they'll get the 2009 postseason started Wednesday afternoon.

Major League Baseball has unveiled the schedule for the first three games of the Phillies vs. Rockies series:


WED: 2:37 p.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time) at Citizens Bank Park, Philly.

THURS: 2:37 p.m. EST at Citizens Bank Park, Philly.

SAT: 9:37 p.m. EST at Coors Field, Denver.

Sunday's Game 4 will only be played if necessary (it's a best-of-five series) and the time will be determined at a later date.


The Phils are getting slotted at this time because we live in a New York/Boston world; like it or not, the Red Sox and Yankees always get prime time.

A quick reason why I don't like it: the national media (ESPN, FOX) complained about a Rays-Phils World Series last year because it feared lackluster ratings since both teams were somewhat anonymous nationally. They do it every year if their beloved Yanks or Sawks don't advance to the Series.

But ESPN/FOX dig their own graves: perhaps instead of shoving the Yankees and Red Sox down people's throats all summer (with Sunday night and Saturday afternoon nationally-televised games) they should vary it up a little and let people see what the Tigers are all about, or the Twins or the Rockies.

My guess is you could add up the times those three teams combined have been on national TV and it wouldn't be close to addding up to the number of times the Red Sox OR Yankees have been on FOX/ESPN alone.

Anyway, had to get that gripe off my chest. Done.

I didn't think Clayton Kershaw or Jorge De La Rosa would break serve Saturday night. For a while, all they did was match each other, scoreless inning for scoreless inning, in Chavez Ravine.

But the Dodgers finally got to the Rockies. De La Rosa, however, wasn't to blame.

L.A. beat Colorado 5-0 on Saturday night to take the NL West title. The Rockies win the Wild Card.

As the Wild Card winners, the Rockies will fly to Philly Monday to take on the Phillies in the NLDS (beginning Wednesday).

Phils fans secretly feared this matchup. The Rockies, after all, are the hot team. Honestly, I think too much is made of the hot team stuff.

Oh. And there's the fact that the Rox swept the Phils out of the playoffs with relative ease in '07.

But back to Kershaw-De La Rosa.

Clayton Kershaw is one of the reasons I said Phils fans shouldn't want to play L.A.

This 21-year-old kid has a lot of talent... and could have a Cole Hamels-like October. All he did Saturday night was throw six shutout innings, holding the Rockies to three hits while striking out 10.

With him and Randy Wolf, two lefties, pitching two of the first three games, the Dodgers would match up well against the Phils.

As for the Rockies? Well, here's the interesting news: Jorge De La Rosa left Saturday's game in the middle of the fourth inning with a tender right groin.

Groin injuries are tricky. Remember Chan Ho Park's two weeks ago? Yeah, it's not something you can bounce back too quickly from.

The Rockies have other arms - Ubaldo Jimenez comes to mind - but De La Rosa is a 16-game winner and he's left-hander. That's a HUGE loss for the Rockies as they try to tame the Phils' left-handed heavy lineup.

One other observation from Saturday night: Kershaw's startling start was another example of the Rockies' struggles against left-handed starters. The Rockies lineup is littered with hitters whose splits lean strongly to the right.

There is little doubt in my mind that J.A. Happ, and not Pedro Martinez, will start against the Rockies if this series goes to a fourth game. Happ shut out the Rockies and struck out a season-high 10 batters in the process just two months ago.

Book it.


Of course, the Phils don't have to announce a fourth game starter until the series gets that far. They could park both Happ and Pedro in the pen for the first three games and make the decision if and when the series gets that far.

But, like I said, book it.

The Phillies aren't the only team limping into the playoffs.

The St. Louis Cardinals dropped their second game in a 24-hour span to the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this afternoon. The loss drops the Cardinals to 91-70.

The best the Cardinals can do is finish the regular season with the same record as the Phillies. But the Phils hold the tie-breaker, since they won the season series between the two teams.

Thus, the Phils will begin the 2009 playoffs at Citizens Bank Park right here in South Philly.

The other two playoff teams - the Rockies and Dodgers - are both out of the NL West, and thus can't play each other in the first round. Whichever team does not win the NL West (the Rockies can win the division by taking the next two games at Dodger Stadium tonight and tomorrow) will visit the Phils Wednesday for the beginning of the NLDS.


Once again, the Phils were 7-0 at home during the 2008 playoffs.


One other thing: if the Phils lose today (they're down 3-1 in the fourth as I type), they can not win overall home field in the National League.

A loss would drop the Phils to 92-69.

Between the Dodgers (93-67) and the Rockies (92-68), whichever teams wins the NL West will have 94 wins, and thus, home field throughout the playoffs.

The Phils can only have home field advantage in the NLCS if they are matched up with the Cardinals.

Bastardo is back

The Phils recalled lefty Antonio Bastardo today. Is it too late for him to get into the mix for lefties in the postseason bullpen?

There was a lot of noise coming out of the Phillies coaches' office tonight, good noise, after a 7-2 defeat.

Huh?

The Milwaukee Brewers rallied back from a 6-0 deficit in the final four innings to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 12-6.

So why do a bunch of Phillies coaches care?

Because now the Phillies magic number to clinch home field in the first round is ONE.

If the Phils win one of the next two games, or if the Cardinals lose one of the next two games, the Phillies will begin the NLDS at Citizens Bank Park. The Phils were 7-0 at home during the 2008 playoffs.


Barring a sweep by the Rockies over the Dodgers this weekend, the Phils will play host to Colorado.

The Phillies clinched a playoff berth Wednesday, but they may have lost another pitcher for the season Thursday.

A night after learning Jamie Moyer needed season-ending surgery, the team said fellow lefty J.C. Romero's left forearm continues to be an issue. Romero will see a specialist in New York in the next few days.

It appears highly unlikely that he'll be able to pitch in the postseason.

“It’s going to be hard for Romero to go out there and compete. We don’t think he’s well yet,” manager Charlie Manuel said after Thursday’s 5-3 loss to the Astros. “I’ve been waiting to see where he’s at, but I wasn’t counting on him.”

Romero didn't speak to reporters after the game. But earlier in the day, he didn't sound optimistic.

“If I’m not healthy to help the team, I’ll step aside for somebody else,” Romero said. “You have to be smart. I’ll try to do my thing, but if I can’t pitch I have to step aside.”