Thoughts from the week

Today, for only the third time this season, both our teams won on the same day. Yay!

I haven't been avoiding posting because the Red Sox started out in a slump. I've been avoiding this blog because our adorable baby boy gets all my time, attention and interest.

But I noticed that yesterday a former SoxandPhils battery, Randy Wolf and George Kottaras, now on the Brewers, dismantled Roy Halladay and the Phillies.

Also, in team Red Sox news, Trent officially joined our charitable efforts on Sunday with our annual charity walk. He did well, except that he skipped his morning bottle right before we left for the walk. He realized he had done so about three-quarters of the way in, and we weren't prepared with a backup bottle. We're still learning, too.

More scoreboard watching

During last night's game, there was a lot of talk about scoreboard watching as the Phillies win, coupled with the Braves loss, sent the Phils back to their customary spot atop the NL East.

The fans cheered every time the scoreboard revealed another run for the Pirates against the Braves, and the announcers noted how Mike Sweeney, who has never been to the playoffs in his 16-year career, acknowledged that he has been scoreboard watching.

Christine and I like to scoreboard watch at the ballpark. Well, we like to note the different screens they have for players' photos.

Here's what caught our fancy from Sunday's game, starting with Amoroso's. Jimmy Rollins had been slumping, but he's been on a roll since moving to the 5th spot in the batting order two games ago. (Ed's note: I wrote this before J-Roll left tonight's game because of a tight hamstring. I'm too tired to change it.)

Charlie Manuel likes the new lineup, so he's locked it up. Too bad that Steve Urkel, err, Ben Francisco can't crack it.

Of course, the Phillies scoreboard operators seem to have it locked in their minds that Jayson Werth is still clean-cut. They really seem to be in denial about the various wild looks he has sported in 2010. Or maybe they're just helping J-Dub audition for a job with the Yankees.

It's not just the home team that participates in these screen shots, although I doubt the visitors get any say whatsoever in what happens with their mugs.

It also seems like more of the nonprofit billboards go to the road team. I wonder if the Phillies give them a discount.

Casey McGehee demonstrates the Please Touch Museum advertisement.

Prince Fielder, with a very cheesy smile, has gone artsy, advertising the Cleopatra exhibit at the Franklin Institute.

We actually saw the Cleopatra ad at our previous game but didn't get a picture. It worked out well anyway because we really like Prince Fielder's big grin.

His squishy eyes remind us of the first studio pictures we got of Trent last weekend. The kid wouldn't smile for the camera except one shot where his eyes are half closed.

Of course, as soon as we left the store, he wouldn't stop smiling for the rest of the weekend.

Tonight's games: The Red Sox are done. I'll lead with them because they are done. I don't like admitting that prematurely, but Terry Francona has waved the white flag and started Tim Wakefield, scotching plans to start the league's ERA leader Clay Buchholz.

It doesn't matter, but the Sox beat the Rays 11-5. Should I have rooted for them to blow it so the Rays didn't lose ground to the Yankees?

The Phillies held on to their half game lead over the Braves, beating the Marlins 10-6. (The Braves beat the Pirates 9-2.)

The Phillies led 10-0 in the 8th, but Nate Robertson's mop sprung a leak, allowing six runs and making the game much closer than it needed to be.

Lots of things amiss

You're never happy seeing Kyle Kendrick give up a three-run home run in the first inning, but once he did, there was still a sense Sunday's game could be a classic Phillies comeback - especially when Ryan Howard came up in the bottom of the inning with two men on.

But when Howard couldn't match Prince Fielder's big blast, Christine knew the Phillies weren't going to come back.

The Phillies showed some spark at times, but the offense kept sputtering against Randy Wolf, and there were just too many things - besides Kendrick - that were amiss when we were at Citizens Bank Park yesterday.

Observations from the stands: The first sign that things were off-kilter was the fact I forgot a writing utensil and had to use the little stubby pencils for scorekeeping. Using a Trent-sized pencil wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, and they accidentally gave me two scorecards in my program, so that's $2 I'll save at my next game.

Another thing askew was that there were way too many Phanatics at the park. We like the big guy, but the park was getting overrun by creatures from the Galapagos Islands as part of the Phanatic Around Town Auction (we'll have more on this later in the week).

After getting our lunch and settling in the stands, the next odd sight was Jamie Moyer on the field. It's become a running joke whether it's too soon to include a Moyer shirt in our "antiquated" listings, but the injured old-timer was on the field Sunday to award the winners of the Phillies home run derby.

The moment gave us a sense of deja vu. Probably because we saw this in 2008. Pat Burrell handed out the trophies then, but it was noted that J-Moy had won the home run derby in his younger days. The Phillies also played the Brewers on that day in 2008, part of the big four-game sweep that resuscitated their playoff drive. They also trailed in that game, but Howard was able to come through with a game-tying home run to set up a big Phillies comeback.

Musical entertainment: The University of Pennsylvania Glee Club, directed by Dr. C. Erik Nordgren, did the anthem. "Oh my god, they sound just like a glee club," Christine said. "And they look like it, too."

They never said who he was, but Joseph Goldberg sang God Bless America. I'm rarely a fan of GBA singers, especially when I don't know why they were selected.

Christine was miffed that for our second consecutive game the Phanatic mid-game skit consisted of a troupe of random dancers. Sunday's episode featured girls from the Dance Team from The College of New Jersey, which is our alma mater.

I'm still shocked because I thought the dancers looked like they were 12 years old.

The Phanatic's dugout dance was Minnie the Moocher, which made me happy because it's a song Trent and I like to sing.

There were lots of youngsters in the crowd to get the free Jimmy Rollins tee. We wanted to bring our little guy, but we know he's not ready for the big leagues yet.

Scoreboard glitches: The players weren't the only members of the Phillies that were off-stride on Sunday. There were several scoreboard glitches as well.

For the "Ask a Phillies" segment, they flashed the question "Do you like to cook?" but the video was asking for their first concert.

Then, in the "Who am I?" segment, they flashed Roy Halladay's name immediately after the first clue - that he was born in 1977 in Colorado.

Finally, in touting Carlos Ruiz as a star of the game, there was a bunch of jumbled, overimposed words, and we weren't able to read any facts about Chooch.

PhilsandBrews: Zack Braddock, the local kid whose family was in full force as he pitched in Philly for the first time on Saturday, did a little better in Sunday's game.

He was summoned to pitch to Chase Utley after Wolf allowed a single to Rollins in the 7th. Braddock got him out for the hold in front of his family and friends.

While we didn't have a TV, we knew his family was back for Sunday's game because we saw them and their clever "Phillies by choice, Brewers by blood" shirts as we walked back from Bull's.

Nice touch with Braddock's name and number on the back.

Funny moment of the day: Leading off the 7th inning, Chooch was robbed of a hit by a great catch by Ryan Bruan. "Chooch was robbed," Christine said, before noticing that he was standing on first base.

Chooch was out, but apparently he didn't think so.

Antiquated T-shirts: The best of the day was of the day's winning pitcher, but it was from Wolf's Phillies tenure. We also spotted Cliff Lee, Scott Rolen, Mike Lieberthal, Pat Burrell, Bobby Abreu, John Kruk, Mitch Williams, Hal McRae and Jim Thome.

Today's games: In the afternoon game, Vance Worley pitched well in his first major league start, but the Marlins' Adalberto Mendez had a more impressive big-league debut in the 7-1 Marlins win. In the nightcap, the Phillies survived a so-so Roy Oswalt start and split the double header with a 7-4 win. They are now 0.5 games behind the Braves.

The Red Sox, fielding a team of minor leagues as if they've given up on the season, beat the Rays 12-5. The miracle starts tonight.

Watching Randy Wolf down the Phillies

We left Trent with Grandmom and headed to the ballpark on a pleasant sun-filled 80-degree day. Unfortunately, the Phillies' performance, notably Kyle Kendrick's, did not match the lovely weather, and former Phil Randy Wolf kept the Phillies offense quiet in the Brewers 6-2 win.

But the 9th-inning meltdown today by the Red Sox in a humiliating 7-5 loss to the White Sox was worse. After being swept by their paler Sox brethren, I am still willing to go down with the ship, but I'll admit that it's about to capsize.

We'll be back tomorrow with all the details from our day at the park – including a bunch of Phanatics, some dancing kids and a very confused Carlos Ruiz. We may also have some other surprises later in the week – time permitting.

Flashback

This week, we found out the Phillies are doling out the opportunity to purchase playoff tickets. And, they're playing the Brewers.

That combination has given me flashbacks to 2008, when I almost talked Christine into not reserving playoff tickets because I thought it was a waste of $20 when the Phillies were 3.5 games behind the Mets and four games behind the Wild-Card leading Brewers. I didn't think they'd sweep the Brewers and Braves to propel them to their World Series win.

How would my life be different if I convinced Christine not to buy tickets and we sat home instead of being at the park for both halves of Game 5 of the World Series? Would I still have a wife? I posed that question to Christine tonight. I didn't get an answer. I'm glad I don't need to know the answer.

More PhilsandBrews: We loved the shirts worn by the family of Brewers pitcher Zack Braddock, a South Jersey native. They said "Phillies by choice, Brewers by blood." We'll have to remember that if Trent winds up playing for a team other than the Red Sox or Phillies: "SoxandPhils by choice, Trent's team by love."

Tonight's games: The Red Sox dropped their afternoon game to the White Sox, 3-1. Then, for good measure, they duplicated that loss in the nightcap. The Phillies beat the Brewers 5-4. The local kid got a blown save.

I forgive Manny

It takes a big man to admit his mistakes. And it takes an even bigger man to remind us that it takes a big man to admit his mistakes after admitting his obvious mistakes.

Manny Ramirez is a big man (no steroid pun intended):

Manny Ramirez was at Fenway before the game was called off and told a small group of reporters (and NESN) that he regretted how his tenure with the Red Sox ended in 2008.

"I think everything was my fault," he said. "You've got to be a real man to realize when you do wrong. Hey, it was my fault, right? I'm already past that stage. I'm happy. I'm in a new team."
[...]
Ramirez said he apologized to Youkilis in June when he played a series at Fenway with the Dodgers.

"I said, 'Hey, what happened between you and me, I'm sorry. It was my fault,'" Ramirez said. "It takes a real man to go and tell a person, 'Hey, it was my fault,' and that's what I did."

Good. Now that the deplorable ending of the Manny Ramirez era has closure, can we just play this weekend's games without documenting every time he scratches himself in this big series - the second time he has come to Fenway as a visitor since his Red Sox tenure ended.

Today's games: The White and Red Sox were hurricaned out. The Phillies scored just one run for Cole Hamels, but this time, it was enough for the 1-0 win over the Brewers. Jose Contreras and Ryan Madson finished the game to give Brad Lidge a day off. The Braves lost, so the Phils are just one game out and still lead the Wild Card by 2.5 games. The Red Sox just need to make up seven games in September, so a SoxandPhils World Series is still possible.

Diver down

Christine and I were running errands this afternoon when the radio played Rainbow in the Dark by Ronnie James Dio, who is one of SoxandPhils' favorite characters.

Usually, when we hear a random song like this, one of us would joke, "What did he die or something?"

We didn't say that today, but the DJ came on with the sad news: Dio has taken his final dive. He is now a Holy Diver.

How sad that Dio is gone and it happened the day after Pat Burrell, who used to come to bat to Dio's iconic tune, was released by the Rays.

I wonder whether Rays GM Andrew Friedman feels guilty today.

At this moment, all we can do is huddle with Elvis and let out a good howl for a silenced voice.

Today's games: The Red Sox followed up losing in extra innings yesterday with a walk-off walk with a listless 5-1 loss today to the Tigers. It's getting harder and harder to keep my patience.

The Phillies are off to a good start on Sunday Night Baseball, leading the Brewers 2-0 in the 2nd.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]

Milestones

Earlier this week, Tim Wakefield got his 2,000th strikeout, joining Jamie Moyer and a couple of cruddy Yankees, roider Andy Pettitte and Javier Vazquez, as active pitchers in the 2K club.

Last night, Jamie Moyer became the second pitcher in history, behind the late Robin Roberts, to give up 500 home runs. When you've pitched as long as those guys, you are going to have good numbers and bad numbers:

"There's a lot of chances out there," Moyer said. "You can't give up 500 in 600 at-bats, can you? I've thrown a few innings in my career. You're going to give up hits, home runs, walks, strikeouts, errors. I don't really keep track of it all."

I hit a milestone myself. Less than a year after I got my new bike, the odometer hit 1,000 miles this morning. I'm proud. I just wish I knew when I actually got it. I bought it on May 30, but I forgot to note when I picked it up - probably the following weekend.

Anybody wanna bulldog? Pat Burrell's career is over - well, the Tampa portion anyway. He was designated for assignment. Charlie Manuel thinks he'll rebound: "I think Burrell can still hit," Charlie Manuel said. "I think he'll get a job. I hope he does."

Either that, or he's subtly trying to convince the Mets to sign him, knowing full well that Burrell's done. I don't think Christie would handle it well if she saw Elvis in blue and orange.

Today's games: Joe Blanton is pitching well - one hit and no runs through four. But unlike last week, he's been efficient with only 43 pitches so far. In the 5th, Phillies 2, Brewers 0. {But just as soon as I was ready to post this, Blanton gave up a home run to Prince Fielder. Phillies 2, Brewers 1.}

The Red Sox play the Tigers tonight.

Philly's revenge

There was some compelling SoxandPhils baseball tonight: Clay Buchholz pitched well against the Tigers on an MLB broadcast, and Jamie Moyer and the Phillies are wearing their retro powder blue unis to celebrate the '70s with the Brewers.

But we didn't really watch either. We were more focused on Boston vs. Philly on ice, even though Christine has grown less interested in hockey in recent years and I have never liked the sport.

But I have a soft spot in my heart for teams that make it to a seventh game after starting 0-3 in a playoff series. We haven't been watching much of the Flyers run, but we turned it on tonight. When the Bruins scored three quick goals, Christine said I jinxed it by watching.

We figured the game was over and lost track of it while we cleaned up after dinner. When we got back to it, the Fly guys tied it up at three. We watched the entire 3rd period and saw the Flyers score a goal and advance to the semifinals.

Incredible. All that was missing was a bloody sock. {Does Gagne's broken foot count?}

So, I guess the Flyers got their revenge for Jan. 1, or maybe the Bruins are only better when they play in Fenway.

Back to baseball: Buchholz pitched well - one run in 6.1 innings, and David Ortiz hit two homers and drove in four. Red Sox 7, Tigers 2.

Christine likes how they play the sound of a growling Tiger every time Detroit scores a run. I don't, except when they're playing the Yankees.

Jamie Moyer dispelled any thoughts of another shutout early, by giving up three solo homers in the 2nd. That made the score a Flyers-like 3-3, but the Phillies, catching the comeback spirit, scored three more in the 4th. In the 5th, Phillies 8, Brewers 3.

By the way, months ago when we first heard about this retro night, we joked that J-Moy should get to start. We're glad it worked out that way. He looks right in this uniform.

State of the SoxandPhils

Each of our teams reduced their magic numbers by one today - two left for the Red Sox, three for the Phillies. The Phils held on to beat the Brewers, but Christine remains cranky. The Red Sox inched closer to the playoffs - not by winning and delaying the Yankees' division clincher, but by the Rays stealing a win from the Rangers in the 9th inning.

I was, and probably still am, more mellow than Christine about the fact the our teams' killer instinct has gone from Rambo to Gandhi, but I think we're both getting a little antsy.

Saturday night, when I was getting exasperated with Christine's reaction to the Phillies walk-off loss to the Brewers (amazingly, Brad Lidge had nothing to do with it), she turned the tables and pointed out that I'm not too happy with the Red Sox right now.

Sure, they've been embarrassed by the Yankees. But I truly believe that the Red Sox have had their fair share of success in recent history, and I don't mind sharing the wealth as long as they play hard, are competitive and are better than the Empire.

Two stories this morning illustrate the state of our teams. The Inquirer game-day story starts off with Charlie Manuel addressing a handful of players after the loss. Although he struck a comforting tone, he's a little more of Christine's mindset than mine:

"I know some say it's in the bag," the manager told them. "We ain't got a thing yet."
[...]
Asked whether he was worried about complacency, given that the Phillies have seemed inevitable division champions all summer, Manuel said: "I'm not [complacent]. You'll have to go ask them. I talk to them every day, and I hadn't seen nobody tell me that. I'm not taking it for granted that we've got the division won. No. Not at all."

The story also mentioned something Christine has been concerned about for quite a while:

"When we were in Atlanta [last weekend]," said Werth, "I just happened to look at their schedule and notice that, like, seven of their last 10 games were against the Nationals. Ever since I saw that, I realized that, potentially, they could still make a run at us. As far as I'm concerned, it's over when we've got it."

I'm still not worried.

This Dan Shaughnessey column, however, pointing out how the Yankees have been the better, hungrier and more focused team all season, did make me pause for concern, especially because it reinforces my point yesterday that the Red Sox seem content with second best.

One team is going all out to win every day.

The other team is the Red Sox - asking you to stand back and look at the big picture.

That got me riled until the following line reminded me of the success of the Red Sox over the past few years is because of strong management and solid planning. There may be mistakes along the way, but the big picture will usually be pretty good.

Two managers. Two theories. Sox fans might not agree with Francona, but he knows his team and has a pretty good track record in this area.

So I took the following advice from the column, closed my eyes, held my nose (and switched the channel before the final out).

Today might be a good day to employ the half-full theory. Cover your eyes, let the Yankees celebrate, and think about October.

I'm not sure if our teams are aware, but October begins this week. The playoffs start next week. We're just two clinchers and two rounds away from the SoxandPhils Series.

Weather watch: On my last training day before the bike ride, I stayed in due to rain. I figure I'll have plenty of time to get wet on my bike next Saturday. Weather.com still calls for rain on both days; AccuWeather still disagrees. Christine, usually the more pessimistic about such things, is more optimistic than me.

Lost weekend

The SoxandPhils headed into their current series looking ready to lock up the postseason. The Red Sox magic number was three, the Phillies five. Heck, Milwaukee had the plastic ready to protect the Phillies personal effects from the champagne celebration. And, in a rare example of a manger losing focus of the job at hand, Terry Francona said the Red Sox would celebrate being second best.

There was even, if my logic is correct (might not be), a chance that if the Red Sox and Rangers had been swept this weekend, the Red Sox would clinch the playoffs while being beat by the Yankees in their division clincher. But a win by Texas last night made that moot.

Sorry for that meandering. Bottom line, neither of our teams will celebrate this weekend. Well, there is still a chance the Red Sox could clinch, but it would sicken me to watch them party tomorrow after dropping the first two this weekend in the Bronx.

Two positives today: Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched well in his loss: one run on six hits and five walks over seven innings with three strikeouts. He threw only 115 pitches. Who is this Dice-K?

Even better, reports on Jon Lester the day after a ball smashed off his leg are encouraging.

Phillies: After last night's ugly loss, they're tied with the Brewers at five in the 8th inning. Jamie Moyer, relieving Kyle Kendrick who was replacing Pedro Martinez, should have been out of the 6th inning if Jimmy Rollins hadn't muffed a fly ball. Christine is getting very cranky with her team right now.

We watched that play on different levels of the house. I thought J-Roll might have some trouble with it, but knew for sure when I heard "Noooooooooooooo!" from upstairs. (Our downstairs TV is on a little bit of a delay with HD.)

Weather watch: This morning was a little chilly, but not as bad as last Sunday. But it stayed dry, allowing me to get in a nice bike ride. I hit 60 miles for the first time. I'm not big on milestones, but that round number makes me proud.

Next weekend is what we're worried about. Saturday is the big ride. Sunday is our friends' charity walk and the Phillies last game. Weather.com predicts rain on both days; AccuWeather says sun. I think we're going to be wet.

Game one starter

When Jon Lester gave up a run and struggled through the first inning, I blamed the Boston Herald's Sean McAdam who broke the story that the Red Sox had decided that our young ace would pitch the first game of the playoffs instead of Josh Beckett.

There had been speculation of this because of the way the Red Sox were shuffling the rotation, but it seemed odd for sources to confirm the decision had been made - even off the record - days before the Red Sox can even clinch.

Of course, things got worse.

I ran upstairs to take care of something. When I came down, Christine had the Phillies game on. I heard a ball ricochet off the pitcher's knee. I thought the Phillies could survive the playoffs without Cliff Lee. But I hadn't noticed she had switched back to the Red Sox game.

That was Jon Lester lying on the ground. There goes the season. Stupid Sean McAdam.

Initial diagnosis, however, is good: X-rays negative. Bruised quad. Day-to-day. {Greg: You should know by now. Day-to-day is what they say when they don't want you to panic.}

The rest of the game isn't so good - the Red Sox trail the Yankees 9-3 in the 7th.

The Phillies aren't doing so hot either. Prince Fielder is dominating. He's 2-4 with two runs, four RBIs and a home run. Lee gave up seven runs in six innings. Christine banished him from the playoff starting rotation. I'm not sure she's kidding. Maybe she'll put him in the running with J.A. Happ, Tyler Walker or anyone but Brad Lidge to be closer.

The Phillies trail the Brewers 8-3 in the 8th.

Closing time

When we left last night, Christine was upset that she was probably going to have to turn in without knowing how, or whether, the Phillies game ended.

Well, we went to bed a little later than I would prefer, but we saw the ending.

Christine brushed her teeth very grumpily.

Brad Lidge still has a chance (if Charlie Manuel keeps going to him in the 9th) to sneak into the top 10 for most blown saves in a season. He's two away from being tied for second with five pitchers who have 13, including a couple with SoxandPhils connections - Jeff Reardon (1986) and Dan Pleasac (1987).

Mike and Mike this morning reprieved their "Brad Lidge Over Troubled Waters" parody from the 2004 NLCS. I had it in my head today. Christine reminded me they played it, well, the unparody version, to close Harry Kalas' funeral.

We've been missing Harry this week. Tom McCarthy and Chris Wheeler are driving me nuts. My new irritation is how they get overly excited. Chase Utley can score a run in a 7-0 game, and they will make it sound like the Phillies won the World Series in the 13th inning of Game 7.

Christine noted that I've taken to calling out "Saaarrge" when Gary Matthews enters the booth in the 4th inning, as if he were Norm from Cheers.

Tonight's games: Both teams are playing in the central time zone. The Phillies lead the Brewers 8-1 in the 6th - after a three-run homer by Jimmy Rollins, which according to T-Mack was the second time in the same inning the Phillies broke the game open.

Sarge called the home run "a little guy driving a Cadillac." We've been speculating that Sarge has a deal with Cadillac in which he's going to get a free one if he says the company's name a certain number of times a season. If so, good thing he announces for the home-run-happy Phillies.

J.A. Happ, who hasn't yet been reinjured, is pitching well - one run on three hits and a walk with seven strikeouts after five innings.

The Red Sox lead the Royals 3-0 in the 5th. David Ortiz homered (11 more RBI to 100), and Clay Buchholz is also pitching well: three hits and seven strikeouts through five shutout innings.

Another stumbling block

I had to do some midday driving this afternoon and turned on the Phillies game just in time to hear Prince Fielder crack one off of Cole Hamels' shoulder.

The broadcasters lamented that Hamels was pitching like Cole Hamels again. I'll take their word on it because other than the six strikeouts his line didn't impress me: two earned on four hits through 3 1/3 innings.

What's the over/under on Hamels first ace-like start of the year? I'll say May 20th. Over/under on 10 wins? I'm not ripping him, it's just that sometimes playoff heroes can't get it together for the encore.

Officially, Todd Zolecki reports Hamels has a bruised shoulder and expects to make his next start. We'll see.

All you need to now about the Phillies offense today is that Matt Stairs hit a mammoth pinch-hit home run in the 8th to ruin the shutout and no-hitter for Dave Bush in a 6-1 loss to the Brewers. The Phillies haven't been no-hit since 1978.

Red Sox: While the team had a day off preparing for its first showdown against last year's playoff runner-ups, the front office was busy with a bunch of little moves. Little-used Chris Carter was optioned to Pawtucket with no word on his replacement, and Kason Gabbard was re-aquired from the Rangers, probably for cash.

Gabbard's demotion from the Rangers made for an amusing story yesterday.

A season's series in one day

Assuming the Red Sox (currently up 7-3 in the 8th inning, thanks to just-called-up Jeff Bailey's three-run homer) finish off the Twins before midnight, then they would have swept their entire slate of home games against Minnesota in one day. This is the only time the Twinkies visit Boston, and the schedule makers made it a two-game set.

Rain cancelled Monday's game, shortened today's day game and has delayed the nightcap. I hope they get this one in so the red-hot Red Sox can keep their Thursday off day and rest up for the first meeting against the Yankees this weekend.

Speaking of the evil empire, I had fun watching and listening to bits of their game with a co-worker who is a typical Yankee fan and apparently still believes in mystique and aura after all these losing years.

In the Red Sox day game, Tim Wakefield pitched his second consecutive complete game - even if the game was shortened to seven innings. He gave up a run on five hits and a walk with four strikeouts. Is it too late to change my Cy Young prediction?

Kevin Youkilis, my MVP pick, continued to click, joining Mike Lowell and Nick Green with two-run home runs in the first three innings of the 10-1 win.

***BREAKING NEWS*** The Phillies game wasn't on TV, so we were listening to the radio broadcast as we cleaned the house for a weekend party. They said every time the World Series trophy handlers make an appearance, they buy a plane ticket for the trophy so it can sit on a seat, not in the cargo area. OK, this looks stupid in print, but Christine and I were very amused by this. {Does the trophy ask for the window seat?}

In the game, Phillies wasted a serviceable Joe Blanton performance - three runs over six innings should be a winnable game, but despite putting the potential tying run on base in the 9th, the Phillies could only manage one run off Braden Looper and the crappy Brewers bullpen.

Busy night

A long day at work, voting and going to our free movie have left little time for blogging. But it looks like the Phillies have responded to Charlie Manuel's little "attitude adjustment." They were leading the Brewers 11-3 after six innings when the game was delayed to rain.

The Red Sox game was completely rained out.

Pat Burrell gets it done

Led by venerable Pat Burrell, the Phillies bats stirred a bit today to beat the Brewers 6-2 and advance to the National League Championship Series against Manny, Joe Torre, Larry Bowa and the Dodgers. We'll be at Game 2 and, if necessary, Game 7.

After getting overly excited before Game 3's loss, Christine and I are pretty mellow for the Phillies first playoff series clincher since 1993. It probably hasn't sunk in yet.

There was some anxiety before the game. We missed the first third of it because of an outdoor charitable function. Though friends' cell phones, we knew it was 1-0 on Jimmy Rollins' leadoff home run. When we got into the car, we just missed Burrell's three-run homer, which put them up 4-0. Jayson Werth then hit a solo home run. We felt like honking our horn, but that probably would have been rude to the kids playing soccer in the park we were leaving.

There were two stars today: Burrell, who added an insurance run with a solo blast in the 7th, and Joe Blanton, who gave up one run on five hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. Brad Lidge closed it out with a remarkably calm 16-pitch inning - one hit, one strikeout.

So while we prepare for Josh Beckett's attempt to sweep away the Angels tonight, our attention also turns to the other looming team from California.

If this is the year of the SoxandPhils World Series, there's probably no better opponent for the Phils than the Dodgers. There are so many angles - former Yankee manager Joe Torre, former Phils manager Larry Bowa, and former Red Sox Derek Lowe, Manny Ramirez and Nomar Garciaparra. Remember all the much speculation about a Manny trade to Philly involving today's man-of-the-hour Pat Burrell? I wonder how differently this season would have turned out if that trade were made. As Christine noted, all of Red Sox nation should be rooting for the Phils to knock Manny out of the playoffs, although I'm sure some would love to beat him in the World Series.

Assuming the Phillies keep their rotation in order, we'll finally see Brett Myers in Citizens Bank Park this year for Friday's Game 2. I'm torn about wanting to see a Game 7 - it would be such a rush, but I know Christine would be a wreck and my hand would be bloodied from fingernails digging into it for nine tortuous innings.

Well, I have some time to mull that all over. Meantime, congrats to the Phils and let's go Sox - get our second clincher of the day.

[Photo credits: Associated Press]

One more to go

The Phillies offense is so bad right now, they've figured out how to erase runs from the scoreboard. After a maddening game in which the umpires didn't call any strikes for Jamie Moyer and the hitters continued to make us yearn for Brett Myers in the batters box, the Phils finally showed some life in the 9th inning.

Trailing 4-1, they loaded it up with no outs against Brewers closer Salomon Torres. Of course, Pedro Feliz swings at the first pitch, grounding right to the third baseman, who turns the 5-4-3 double play. At least, I thought, a run was in and the potential tying run would be at the plate. But no, the umpires ruled Shane Victorino interfered at second base. How can you be charged with interference if the double play is turned? So a run came off the board, and the runners went back to second and third bases. Carlos Ruiz then meekly grounded out, so in the grand scheme of things, that ruling only meant the final was 4-1 Brewers instead of 4-2. Phils still lead the series 2-1.

Our Sunday just got a lot more hectic. The Phillies and Joe Blanton will try to wrap it up in the afternoon and avoid a classic Cole Hamels vs. CC Sabathia winner-take-all matchup. At night, Josh Beckett will try to finish off the Angels. We were hoping the Phils wouldn't need four games so we could tend to some errands in the afternoon, but they couldn't get it done.

The great outings by Hamels and Myers and a few clutch hits in the first two games masked the fact that the offense has disappeared. The Phillies are now hitting .234 with a .339 on-base percentage for the series. They're supposed to be a world-class offense playing a team whose pitching staff consists of a Cy Young award winner and then a bunch of slop. The Phils took out Sabathia, but got shut down by Dave Bush and a bunch of castoffs and roiders in the bullpen.

In 10 2/3 innings, the Brewers bullpen has allowed no runs, four hits and four walks with nine strikeouts. That's disgraceful for the Phillies.

With numbers like that, let's hope the Phillies build an insurmountable lead off Jeff Suppan tomorrow or that he gets a complete game loss.

I have to go now and stop Christine from throwing out our NLCS tickets. See you tomorrow with better news, I hope.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]

J.D. unfazed by rally monkey and K-Rod

There are few things as uplifting as a close win in playoff baseball and few things as crushing as a close loss.

Last night the difference between the two was razor thin until J.D. Drew - who has been hurt and homerless since July 26 - homered in the 9th off Francisco Rodriguez, who some think is the best closer in baseball based on his record saves total this year. Red Sox 7, Angels 5.

He's good, but he's a notch below Jonathan Papelbon, who got the win on only 21 pitches in two innings of perfect baseball. He did allow an inherited runner to score, but you can't expect Chone Figgins to be stranded when he leads off with a triple. Christine thinks K-Rod, who wants $75 million on the market this winter, will fit in nicely in the Mets bullpen.

I predicted a strong outing from Daisuke Matsuzaka. I was wrong. He needed 108 pitches to muddle through five innings, giving up three runs, eight hits and three walks. Thankfully, there's an off day for Papelbon to rest up to close it out for Josh Beckett on Sunday night.

Do you think Jason Bay is happy to be out of Pittsburgh? A big three-run homer in the first and a 3-5 night for the man who we're often reminded is no Manny Ramirez. Drew also had a three-hit night.

So after two games, the Red Sox and Phillies each stand five wins away from the World Series I both crave and dread. Each team has to finish off business in Round 1 and then get by a pair of tough opponents, likely the Rays and Dodgers, who are attempting to sweep their series as well. It could be the first time all four divisional series end 3-0.

Of the four, the Phillies have the first crack at ending their series against the Brewers at 6:37 tonight. We'll check in afterward.

A good sign?: I had a dream that I turned on the Phillies game in the first inning tonight and they were winning 1-0. I turned away for a minute and suddenly it was 8-0. I'm not sure if I've ever had a dream about a game before, especially one so specific about the score, the inning and what I was doing.

And I've had this scene from Wayne's World stuck in my head for the past two days. I keep hearing Alice Cooper's pronunciation of "mill-e-wah-que."

Wayne Campbell: So, do you come to Milwaukee often?
Alice Cooper: Well, I'm a regular visitor here, but Milwaukee has certainly had its share of visitors. The French missionaries and explorers began visiting here in the late 16th century.
Pete: Hey, isn't "Milwaukee" an Indian name?
Alice Cooper: Yes, Pete, it is. In fact , it's pronounced "mill-e-wah-que" which is Algonquin for "the good land."
Wayne Campbell: I was not aware of that.

I hope the Phillies visit to "mill-e-wah-que" is short and sweet.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]

The clincher

I like the Phillies chances to wrap it up tomorrow in Milwaukee - solely because of the old man on the mound.

Jamie Moyer won't let them lose this game. Last year he looked possessed, willing them to win the last game of the season when anything less would have meant a one-game playoff against the Mets, or worse. This year, under less stressful circumstances, he pitched the division-clinching game.

A little playoff history on J-Moy ... he'll be making his sixth postseason appearance tomorrow, all of which came after he was 34 years old. He's 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA in 29 2/3 innings. His WHIP is 0.94. He's always smart and tough on the mound, but he takes himself to another level for big games. In last year's Game 3 against the Rockies, he took a no decision in the Phillies final game, yielding one run in six innings.

I expect he will pitch the Phillies last first-round game this year as well.

Before we get to the Phillies Game 3, the Red Sox have to win Game 2 tonight: Daisuke Matsuzaka vs. Ervin Santana.

I can't get a good feel on this one. I'm feeling a strong start by Dice-K, but I also sense people have written off the Angels after one game. I'm not, but I lean toward saying the Sox will pull this one out somehow. If so, then I'll write off the Angels.

Even Mike Scioscia agrees:

We need to win tonight, there is no mistake. They're a terrific ball club and we're a terrific ball club. The bottom line is to bring it on the field and it's a shame if we don't bring it because if you bring it on the field and another team beats you, then it's easy to turn the page and say, hey, congratulations.

Red Sox updates: Mike Lowell, who gritted out Game 1 with his bum hip, will be forced to watch Game 2. Jed Lowrie gets the night off - Terry Francona has a hunch with Alex Cora. And Josh Beckett is pitching Game 3 at Fenway. Did I mention tonight is a must-win for the Halos?

The game is starting now. We'll catch up tomorrow.

Dinnertime: While waiting for our order at Chick-fil-A, we heard one of the workers telling the others that Stephen A. Smith was in for lunch.

"I told him I was a big fan and gave him a bunch of coupons," he said.

One co-worker was incredulous.

"No, really," the Stephen A. fan said. "NFL Films is right across the street."