Big arms

Maybe they just needed the warm weather to start playing better.

[There's been plenty of talk that the Phillies' slow starts are just a sign that they are a warm weather team, but no one seems to mention that the playoffs don't occur in warm weather.]

Nice win today. Of course it was yet another business-persons special, so I missed out on the action again.

Brett Myers pitched a good game, despite getting into, and out of, a few sticky situations. Pat Burrell continues to tear it up, and Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Chris Coste all joined him in the home run parade.

So with this victory they pull up to .500 again. They haven't made it over that mark yet, but it's just a matter of time.

And now on to the game of the week: Mets vs. Phils. Johan Santana vs. Cole Hamels. Friday night. It's going to be crazy. And it will end in favor of the Phillies. Hamels has been pitching excellent. Santana, only so-so. Hamels is used to playing in Philadelphia and knows the ballpark. Last time Santana was in town, he pitched at the Vet against a very different team. Last year he gave up a home run a start, and this year he has served up four homers in three games. With the temperature nearing 80 tomorrow, the balls will be flying off of the Phillies bats and out of the Bank. I can't wait.

Speaking of aces, with another short start by a Red Sox pitcher last night, the staff could use a long start by Josh Becket. He appeared to be cruising against the Yankees until the bottom of the fifth. Hopefully he can pitch an efficient seventh before handing it over to the overtaxed bullpen.