Stop believing

Things are going so well for the SoxandPhils that the local scribes seem to think the year is over. Tony Massarotti tips his hat to Theo Epstein and the Sox, while Todd Zolecki notes the Phils have a lead so big that the Mets couldn't blow it. (Christine is still trying to stay in denial that the Phillies have it wrapped up.)

Things have been going swell, but I have spotted trouble ahead. No, I'm not talking about the fact that J.A. Happ was yanked tonight after three innings in his comeback start or that Jason Bay caught the swine flu from Shane Victorino. (Christine wants me to say that Shane-O is still having tummy issues, but I don't know that to be fact.) Carlos Ruiz also left with a wrist injury.

But the real trouble ahead is if the Phillies match up against the Dodgers - they will have no chance because Los Angeles has hijacked the power of Journey from Jayson Werth.

Steve Perry, a Giants fan, isn't happy:

"It tweaks me to know they're using the song as a rally song," he told the San Francisco Chronicle. "I really wish [the Giants] had hijacked it first. I think the song is about hope and power, and it's working for [the Dodgers], damn it."

I'm worried. Werth likes Journey (although we haven't heard him use Separate Ways in a while). Christine and I don't like Journey, but I have had Don't Stop stuck in my head since Monday.

This can't bode well if there's a rematch of last year's NLCS.

Tonight's games: The Red Sox continue to try to put themselves in a position in which next weekend's series in the Bronx means something. Clay Buchholz won again - the Sox haven't lost in his last seven starts (five wins and two no-decisions). He gave up one run in six innings before the bullpen shut the door in the 3-1 win over the Orioles.

The Phillies, behind two Ryan Howard homers and insurance blasts from Jimmy Rollins and Ben Francisco, beat the Braves 9-4. Before Howard's first, they showed he was hitting .231 with one home run in September. I gave him the choking sign. Christine got mad. Howard homered. Mission accomplished.

Tyler Walker, who Christine earlier in the week proclaimed the unsung Phillie of 2009, gave up two runs in the 8th inning, but she's blaming that on the Daily News for writing about him, not her proclamation.

Before he left - whether because of precaution or reinjury - Happ looked a bit shaky. Kyle Kendrick tossed four shutout innings. Hmm ... so maybe the playoff rotation will be Pedro Martinez, Kyle Kendrick, Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee.

Extended Journey: Christine remembered that the 2005 Chicago White Sox had used the ballad. While looking for a link, I found Timoney's YouTube video of Perry jamming with the White Sox during their victory parade. It's odd. The crowd is dead. Give me the world effin' champions or a bunch of duck boats any day. Judge for yourself: