Go the Distance.

The Phillies have advanced to the National League Championship Series! In a power-fueled day started early by Jimmy Rollins, the Phillies beat the Brewers 6-2 to win the NLDS series 3-1. Player of the game, Pat Burrell, hit 2 home runs, including a 3-run home run to provide the much needed offensive boost. Burrell also hit a solo home run, as well as Jimmy Rollins and Jayson Werth.

Joe Blanton, just wow. After all the shit I've personally given Gillick and Blanton with the trade, it paid off. He really stepped up and pitched a great game today. He allowed 1 earned on 5 hits and struck out 7. He did a great job of working the plate all game and making good pitches to get easy outs. Today's start has made the Phillies a lot more comfortable in using Blanton for the rest of the postseason.

The Phillies team is overcoming the critics, myself, etc. They've battled through adversity and they're still moving along. Winners of 16 of their last 20, they got hot at just the right time. This series ws virtually Utley and Howardless, but I'd expect that to change in the next series. You cannot keep them down forever, especially the sleeping giant in Howard.

In the end, in his final year, Gillick may have done what he came to do. A championship team.

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RISP and the Dodgers Scare Me.

Ugh, guys, we're a few dropped outs away from either being down 2-1 or swept in the series against the Brewers.

In 3 games, the Phillies have left 24 runners on base. 24. They've been absolutely awful at the plate. The big 3-4-5 in the lineup has left 13 men on base. Everyone, if we cannot hit with runners in scoring position and play situational baseball, it's going to be a long series in the NLCS, if we make it there. I still think that is an if. It is not a lack of faith by any means, but the Phillies offense has been incredibily less than impressive.

The pitching on the other hand has been good for the most part. Yesterday, the Brewers shot themselves in the foot, but the Phillies gave them plenty of free passes. Giving up 2 runs over the final 7 innings was not terrible and the only runs that scored in the first inning were the walks by Moyer. Did the extra rest do something to Moyer, who knows, but he'd better be prepared to handle the hot-hitting Dodgers.

Speaking of the Dodgers...they're ten times better than the record states. They have very good pitching, a hard-throwing bullpen, and now a productive lineup. Before Manny Ramirez joined the team, they were second to last in the NL in runs scored. In the time period that they had Manny, they were second best. I think the Phillies can beat them if we make it, but I would not be surprised to see a Manny vs Boston reunion. A World Series that I'd have no intention of watching.

Apparently, Manny is rooting for us [the 700 Level]:

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The Flyin' Hawaiian Hits in Grand Style!

The Fightins' provided the video.

Brett Myers' remarkable 9 pitch walk off C.C. Sabathia set up one of the biggest moments in Phillies' playoff history. With 2 strikes and 2 outs, Shane Victorino hit a grand slam in to the left field seats. 5 runs crossed the plate in the bottom of the second and that is all Myers would need. The Phillies won 5-2 to secure a 2-0 lead in the NLDS series.

Even with Victorino's grand slam, Myers was far and away the player of the game. If it were not for that at-bat that forced a 2-out walk, Victorino would have never come up with the bases loaded.

Pitching wise, Myers escaped an early bases loaded jam by getting Corey Hart to ground out to Myers to set up a double play. From the 1st inning on, Myers allowed only 1 run and 1 hit as he completed 7 innings of great work. Ryan Madson got into some trouble in the 8th after a Rollins error, but Romero ended the inning with a 1 pitch ground out to Prince Fielder. Brad Lidge closed out the game with an easy 1-2-3 9th.

2 down, 9 to go. The Phillies are one away from advancing to the NLCS.

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1 down, 10 to go!

The weather was nice, but got miserable fast. Cole Hamels' dominance, however, was consistent all game. King Cole struck out 9 and allowed on two hits in 8 shut-out innings of work.

The offense took advantage of some defensive mistakes by the Brewers in the third to score all of their runs. After Carlos Ruiz lined a single to center, Hamels laid down a bunt and reached first base on an error by second baseman Rickie Weeks. The rest of the inning, well that can be seen in the videos after the jump! These were all my videos shot behind section 116. Sorry, I'm not tall so the video gets a little shaky at times as I had to hold it over my head (I was stuck behind MLB.com's camera lady).

Phillies Team Announced


First Strike-out for Cole Hamels


Utley 2-run double


Victorino RBI Walk


Lidge Closes it Out

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NLDS Preview: Phillies-Brewers

A streak has to end. Neither the Phillies nor the Brewers have won a playoff series in a long time. The Phillies are better defensively, better offensively, and they have a better overall pitching staff. The NL East Champions should win. However, the Brewers are a team who's bats can get hot real fast and whenever CC has the opportunity to possibly pitch twice in a short series, it is going to be tough.

A Broad View:

Phillies
In the regular season, the Phillies averaged about 4.9 runs per game and allowed only 4.19. Their +119 run differential was third in the majors only behind Boston and Chicago. Their 799 runs scored was 93 off of last year's pace. Earlier in the year, they were on pace to surpass the 892 runs from last year, but their offered faltered much of the summer, luckily heating up just in time for the September stretch run. Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and Pat Burrell all had struggling streaks when the weather was hot, but at least Utley and Rollins are getting back to normal. The Phillies have two year in and year hot MVP candidates in Utley and Howard. Hopefully, hopefully they tune their game to become October MVPs. No one in baseball is hotter than Ryan Howard is right now.

The pitching has been the best it has ever been in a long time, both in regards to the starters and the bullpen. Pitching was the question earlier in the year, but it truly carried this team through some tough times. The Phillies are going to continue have to rely on good pitching, but also hope that their situational hitting improves. When the weather cools down, home runs are tougher to hit with consistency.

Brewers
The Brewers come into the postseason averaging 4.6 runs per game while allowing 4.25. However, their rotation has taken a hit because Ben Sheets will likely be unavailable for the entire series. Yovani Gallardo is a stud prospect, but he hasn't pitched during most of the year. He injured his knee in May and his only start with the Brewers since was last weekend. C.C. Sabathia will pitch on 3 days rest for the fourth time in four starts in Game 2. While it is likely that he'll continue to be effective, question marks will still arise.

Both the offense and bullpen struggled in September, but finally returned to mid-season form in the final week of the season. The Brewers are another team that relies heavily on the long-ball. Both powerful lineup could put up big numbers, but it is hard to expect any 10-8 slugfests in the cold Philadelphia and Milwaukee weather.

Offense
Batting Average:
Phillies - .255
Brewers - .253

On-Base Percentage:
Phillies - .332
Brewers - .325

Slugging Percentage:
Phillies - .438
Brewers - .431

Home Runs:
Phillies - 214
Brewers - 198

Walks:
Phillies - 586
Brewers - 550

Strikeouts:
Phillies - 1117
Brewers - 1203

As you can tell, the Phillies have the edge in the major categories. Well, how about the "clutch" situations.

With runners in scoring position, the Phillies still seem to have an edge as well.

Batting Average:
Phillies - .263
Brewers - .245

On-base Percentage:
Phillies - .365
Brewers - .337

Slugging Percentage:
Phillies - .443
Brewers - .405

Walks:
Phillies - 219
Brewers - 192

Strike Outs:
Phillies - 299
Brewers - 312

On paper, the Phillies have a better offense. In their most recent 4-game series, the Phillies outscored the Brewers 26-10. The Phillies are a better situational team, but they will have to improve to completely hold off a Brewers lineup that could heat up really quickly.

Phillies Team Leaders:
Avg: Shane Victorino - .293
OBP: Chase Utley - .380
SLG: Ryan Howard - .543
HR: Ryan Howard - 48
RBI: Ryan Howard - 146
R: Chase Utley - 113
SB: Jimmy Rollins - 47

Brewers Team Leaders:
Avg: Ryan Braun - .285
OBP: Prince Fielder - .372
SLG: Ryan Braun - .553
HR: Ryan Braun - 37
RBI: Ryan Braun - 106
R: Ryan Braun - 92
SB: Corey Hart - 23

Pitching:
With the addition of C.C. Sabathia, the Brewers had one of the best 1-2 rotation in baseball with he and Sheets. Well, Sheets is likely not going to pitch. So now, the Brewers new 1-2 punch is Sabathia and Gallardo. Don't slouch on Gallardo. He has question marks, he's young, but he has amazing stuff. The rest of their rotation is a question mark as they're still not sure who will pitch game 3.

The Phillies have one of the better National League aces in Cole Hamels who's recored had a lot to do with the Phillies lineup's inability to score runs for him. Hamels leads the league in innings and may be feeling some fatigue, but he'll have 8 days in between starts. Hopefully he is refreshed. Myers have seemed to have found himself since being sent down, but he has been unable to spot his fastball in his last two starts. A problem he had before he was sent down. Hopefully he gets back to whatever he was doing before those two starts. To pitch game 3, the Phillies well send out 45 year-old vet, Jamie Moyer. Moyer was 16-7 for the Phillies this year with a 3.71 ERA. Unreal.

Well, let's compare them. First the Starter's.

Innings:
Phillies - 966.2
Brewers - 983.1

ERA:
Phillies - 4.23
Brewers - 3.86

W-L:
Phillies - 59-47
Brewers - 59-48

Opponent BA:
Phillies - .264
Brewers - .259

Ks:
Phillies - 670
Brewers - 725

Walks:
Phillies - 322
Brewers - 314

WHIP:
Phillies - 1.36
Brewers - 1.31

HRs Allowed:
Phillies - 123
Brewers - 119

The Brewers have the edge, however these numbers both include Kyle Kendrick, Adam Eaton, and Ben Sheets. Three starters who will not pitch in this series. I remind you though, Gallardo has the type of stuff that shut down the Phillies last year with the kids in Colorado. As you can see, the Brewers rotation was able to go deeper into games.

The bullpens:

Innings:
Phillies - 483
Brewers - 472.1

ERA:
Phillies - 3.19
Brewers - 3.83

W-L:
Phillies - 33-23
Brewers - 31-24

Opponent BA:
Phillies - .251
Brewers - .249

Ks:
Phillies - 411
Brewers - 385

Walks:
Phillies - 211
Brewers - 214

WHIP:
Phillies - 1.38
Brewers - 1.39

Blown Leads:
Phillies - 15
Brewers - 26

The Phillies definitely have the bullpen edge, though they struggled in August and early September. The Brewers bullpen isn't as far off as some may have thought. They still got the job in the grand scheme of things, but those 26 blown leads are not good news for the Brewers fans.

Both of their fielding defense are not great, but they're not terrible. They have a few holes, but rarely do they absolutely kill their respected teams.

Final Analysis:
I don't like making predictions, but I have to, Phillies in 4 or 5. If it gets to 5, the Brewers will likely send out Myers against Sabathia, unless the Phillies plan to use Blanton if there is a game 4, pending on what the series is at. I think both teams are mirror images of each other, but the Phillies experience last year, as little as it is, should deem a huge factor.

Play ball!

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Rotations Set?

The Phillies have announced that Cole Hamels will pitch game 1 on Wednesday, Myers for game 2 on Thursday, and Moyer for game 3 on Saturday.

Yes, Moyer is more consistent than Myers, but the Phillies seem to prefer to not use two lefties back to back. Also, Moyer, an experienced pitcher, is who you'd want pitching game 3, the first one in Milwaukee.

If the series reaches game 4, Blanton could start, or relieve Cole Hamels on short test. If somehow there is a game 5, Brett Myers would likely get the ball in Philly.

The Brewers are likely going to start young-phenom Yovani Gallardo who just returned from the DL. C.C. cannot pitch until game 2, but he likely will make his fourth straight start on 3 days rest. Sure, he's been successful, but you cannot expect that run to last forever. Ben Sheets is likely out for the NLDS and Jeff Suppan or Dave Bush would pitch game 3. - Milwaukee Brewers

Hopefully the excitement of finally making the playoffs in Milwaukee makes them tight for the postseason like we saw against Colorado last year for the Phils.

Check in tomorrow for a full series preview.

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Magic Number Remains at 3

Both the Mets and Brewers won last night in late-inning fashion to move only one game behind the Phillies for both the division and final playoff spot. Getting nervous? I wouldn't feel nervous if the Nats did not give us games all year. The Phillies have only gone 9-6 against the worst team in the National League.

It is very highly unlikely that the Phillies or Mets will play tonight because of the weather, likely forcing teams to scramble and play either a double-header on Sunday or games on Monday.

This is for all the marbles or at least a playoff spot? How do you feel? The Phillies controlled their own destiny with plenty of ease in the final week, but now they have to scoreboard watch and rely on the help of the Florida Marlins and Chicago Cubs.

If the Phillies fail to make the playoffs, I truly am not sure about what I am going to do. No, I won't be jumping off any bridges, but it may be the tipping point to where I totally stop caring about baseball or this organization anymore. I really don't think I can continue to handle the depressing nonsense year after year.

Well, they're going to make the playoffs, right? There's too many stars on this team for it to not to happen. They're going to field properly and cut the shit out with the pathetic at-bats they put on display against the Braves.

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Sweeping their Way into the Wild Card

The Phillies won both ends of the double-header today to complete the sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers. In a series comparable to the 4-game series last year against the Mets, the Phillies offense came alive scoring 26 runs in 4 games and the pitching staff only allowed 10.

Some fans were skeptical of this series and other kept the faith. I'll admit, I was skeptical. I thought after that Florida series, the fight might be gone, but the Phillies have yet to give up and they now find themselves tied for the Wildcard and tied in wins with the Mets (83), but two more losses. The Mets will play tomorrow and the division lead will shift a half game in the Phillies favor or not.

I attended the day portion of the double-header and it was a great game. Things didn't start out too well when Blanton gave up a 1st-inning 2-run home run to Ray Durham, but the Phillies fought back from a 3-1 deficit, specifically when Ryan Howard hit a 2-run home run in the bottom of the 6th. The crowd was ecstatic from then on and Joe Blanton didn't need the bullpen until the 8th inning. After what looked like another off-start, Blanton did "eat some innings."

In the bottom of the 8th, Pat Burrell knocked in the go-ahead run on a line drive to left field. Jayson Werth just barely got in before the tag with a great slide. Too add insurance, Shane Victorino hit a 3-run home run to push the lead to 7-3, which would be the final score. You could almost feel that this win would absolutely destroy the Brewers' morale and when leaving the stadium, everyone felt that the team would complete the sweep.

Some fans even stayed and those who did erupted when the Mets blew their ninth inning lead to lose 7-4 to the Braves.

In the night cap, the rally towels were out. Jimmy Rollins got things started early with a double. He would later score on a double play ground out by Chase Utley. In the second inning, the Phillies had a run knocked in by Brett Myers of all people with an RBI single to right. I think he was pissed off that Coste was intentionally walked to get to Myers. Rollins followed it up with a 2-RBI single himself to give the Phillies a 4-0 lead. Later in the game, Burrell hit a moon-shot home run and Jayson Werth was walked with the bases loaded to give the Phillies a 6-0 lead. The 6 runs, well 2 runs would be all they needed.

Brett Myers was absolutely phenomenal on 3-days rest. He did everything we could ask for and more. Brett Myers threw his second complete game since August 20th allowing only 2 hits, one being a solo home run to Prince Fielder to lose the shut out. Myers threw ONLY 95 pitches and struck out 4 Brewers. Brett had great command on all his pitches, especially his change-up, which seems to be getting better and better. When Myers was designated for assignment, he had a 5.84 ERA. After tonight, he has a 4.06 ERA. He and Hamels have finally become 1A and 1B.

Other good news? Pat Burrell went 3-7 on the day with a home run and hopefully he finally comes out of his slump. He almost dipped below .250, but his go-ahead single in the day game ended that possibility.

The Phillies are off tomorrow before the begin a 6 game road trip in Atlanta and Florida. The Phillies need to find a way to go at least 4-2 or 5-1. There is little room for error right now. Every game is a must-win from here on out. With 12 games left, I would think the Phillies need to go 8-4 or 9-3 to make the playoffs.

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Phils Continue Chase With Win

Shane Victorino said Cole Hamels' last start was a fluke. Well he was right. Hamels went 6.1 strong innings, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks. He also struck out 4. Manny Para got absolutely shelled in his 1.1 innings pitched, giving up 5 runs.

Jimmy Rollins went 3-5 with a homer, 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs. Chase Utley went 2-4, scoring 2 runs and driving in 1. It's about time he contributed. Ryan Howard also drove in 2 and Jayson Werth and Victorino added 1 a piece.

There's not much left to report on the game. The Phillies are now 2 games back in the Wild Card and 2.5 behind the Mets. They Mets split today so they gained a half game on the Phillies, who play a double header tomorrow.

Probables:
1:35 - D. Bush (9-10, 4.23), J. Blanton (7-12, 4.86)
7:35 - J. Suppan (10-8, 4.63), B. Myers (9-11, 4.22)

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Moyer Wins 14th vs. Milwaukee

Jamie Moyer looked good again as his performance as the Phillies won 6-3. Moyer (14-7) went 5.2 innings giving up only 4 hits, 2 of them being a solo and 2-run homer by JJ Hardy and Prince Fielder, respectively. He also struck out 5 and walked 1. Brad Lidge pitched the 9th for his 36th save in as many chances.

Ryan Howard had another monster game as he went 2-3 with a 2 run home run in the first, his Major League leading 43rd, and then he hit an RBI double that bounced off the top of the padding in center field.

Jimmy Rollins and Pedro Feliz also had 2 hits. Chase Ultey and Pat Burrell both continued with their struggles as they went 1-8 with 3 strikeouts combined.

The Phillies moved to within 3 games back of New York, who had the day off yesterday. Cole Hamels will take the mound tonight and will be facing Manny Para.

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Yay, We Didn't Cost Cole Another Win!

Someone out there had to be able to cool down the Nationals, so the Phillies turned to none other than King Cole. Hamels pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings to help the Phillies win 4-0. Hamels struck out 6 Nationals and scattered 5 hits to lower his season ERA to 3.01.

Jimmy Rollins, who continues to stay hot, went 2-3 while knocking in two Phils. Both Utley and Rollins provided 2-out RBIs in the third inning for the Phillies. The offensive bad news, however, is that Pat Burrell is continuing to struggle at the plate at such a bad time. Hopefully he finds himself tonight before heading to New York for a weekend series.


Speaking of New York, they won in extra innings, after the Milwaukee Brewers blew many opportunities to make the game a rout (even after falling behind 5-1 early.) The Mets maintain their 2-game lead. The Mets game will be over today before the Phillies take the field, so the Phillies will know if they have ground to gain or maintain. Also, an interesting twist is developing as Milwaukee continues to lose, the Phillies are inching closer and closer to the Wild Card. Joe Blanton will be on the hill tonight for the Phillies and he'll face off against Odalis Perez, who somehow owns a 6-3 record with a 2.70 ERA against the Phillies.

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Pat = Machine

The question has been answered. Pat is no man, he is a machine. The machine continued his hot hitting when he broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the 8th by ripping a 2-run double down the line to give the Phillies a 3-1 lead and win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Pat, however was not the MVP of today's game. That player was Tom Gordon who came into the game in the bottom of the seventh inheriting runners on first and third with no outs. Tom Gordon struck out two batters and got Gabe Kapler to ground out to end the inning. J.C. Romero and Brad Lidge pitched scoreless 8th and 9th innings to notch a hold and a save respectively.

Next up for the Phillies are the 9-12 Pittsburgh Pirates.
Friday: Adam Eaton (0-0) vs Zach Duke (0-1)
Saturday: Kyle Kendrick (1-2) vs Matt Morris (0-3)
Sunday: Brett Myers (2-1) vs Paul Maholm (1-2)

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Phillies-Brewers Gameday Preview

Philadelphia Phillies (11-10) at Milwaukee Brewers (12-8)

Tonight: 8:05pm on CN8

Cole Hamels (2-2, 1.86 ERA) vs Dave Bush (0-3, 7.02 ERA) - The pitching edge is completely in favor of the Phillies as their "1B" pitcher takes on the Brewers current worst pitcher. Also, Jayson Werth, Eric Bruntlett, and Carlos Ruiz have great career numbers against the Brewers. Last year, Dave Bush allowed 7 runs in 10 1/3 innings against the Phils.

The Phillies come in winners of three straight and they moved over .500 for the first time all year (for the first time in April since 2005 when they finished 19-11). Last night, Pat Burrell tied Von Hayes 1989 record for most RBI's in April by a Phillie with 22.

Game Notes: Geoff Jenkins makes his return to Milwaukee for the first time after spending ten seasons there. He expects to receive applause.

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