Phils phans win again

First they saw their team win the World Series, and now it looks like they've won the SoxandPhils preseason prediction showdown.

No one did particularly well, but Phils fans (probably picking with heart more than head) each got three of the four National League playoff teams correct, plus the Phillies as World Series Champions.

Brian was the only one to correctly predict an AL team. He went with the Angels. The rest of us were killed by the Mariners. But Brian also unofficially predicted 16 wins for Adam Eaton.

Christine also picked three of the NL teams (everyone got burned with the Diamondbacks in the West). She was also the only one to correctly pick an award winner (unless Jose Reyes wins the MVP next week). She went with Geovany Soto for Rookie of the Year.

She almost picked the correct number of games the World Series would last. She blames Clint Hurdle for getting it wrong. She assumed the NL would have home-field advantage, so she went Phillies in six, figuring we would have tickets to that game. If she knew Hurdle was going to suck in the All-Star game, she would have picked five. Also, it would have been impressive if she had gone through with her thought of picking the Rays in the East.

Only the Cubs division win and Willie Randolph being the first manager fired saved Joe Wolf's Vertical Jump from joining his brother on the shutout list. Joe Wolf may have picked the Phillies, not his beloved Expos, if he were picking seriously.

Like his Mets, Endy in the Outfield had nothing to show for his efforts.

Results could still change when the MVPs are announced this week, but no one has a serious candidate. In the NL, there are three Chase Utleys, a Reyes and Prince Fielder. In the AL, there are two Grady Sizemores, a Miguel Cabrera and Vladimir Guerrero. I've got the best shot at picking up a point with Alex Rodriguez. But I'd forgo that one to see Dustin Pedroia win it.

News: Still not much doing for the SoxandPhils. I was downstairs this morning when I heard Christine clapping at the computer. I expected something big. Her reaction was to the news that Mike Zagurski would be healed in spring training.

I know she likes the rotund pitcher we call Fattie, but I think her overreaction was just an excuse to look at this picture. We didn't get any baby bunnies this season.