Worry for Phils, Sox still sputter

As the Red Sox have sputtered, everything has seemed golden for the Phillies. Other than insulting their aged warrior, there's been little consternation in Philly. The biggest dilemma may be whether J.A. Happ or Joe Blanton should be the third starter come playoff time.

But Paul Hagen issued a new warning for the Phightins': They're cruising to the playoffs, and teams that have sailed into the playoffs haven't done too well recently. Over the past decade, no team with the biggest divisional lead has won the World Series. Only one such team made it to the World Series, and half were eliminated in the first round.

So I guess there is worry for the Phillies - that they'll continue to steamroll through the rest of the season and then get knocked off by a team that had to squeeze through the playoff entry door.

Entering the day, the Phillies had a 6.5 game lead, which is the same amount as the Yankees and a tick behind the Cardinals' seven-game edge over the Cubs.

So, that's why I'm not too worried about tonight's pasting of the Sox by the Empire, currently 15-5 in the 6th. We're just letting them build up their divisional lead. (Although, I am ready to kick Brad Penny to the curb.) We'll knock them off in the playoffs. Maybe Billy Wagner will be part of the fun. Can you imagine a SoxandPhils World Series with Pedro Martinez and B-Wags?

I wonder if the old lefty will make an appearance tonight. Cole Hamels still can't get on track and has the Phillies in a 4-1 hole to the Mets in the 5th inning (it was delayed by rain).