Let's see where he goes with the Pat Burrell situation, what he does about the 5th starter spot, and how he bolsters the bench before rushing to judgment.

With his star-is-born showing this post season, Cole Hamels has earned the right to have the "win night" tag attached to his starts.

Some thought my call to get a Phillies 'Win it For' thread was too early. Well, it ain't early anymore.

The Phillies can play all the simulated games they want, take pop flys off the Tropicana Field catwalks and lighting trusses with 150 db of piped-in cowbell clatter. World Series dress rehearsal doesn't simulate the intensity, or require the focus needed to be the last team standing.

To the best of my knowledge and Googling capabilities, no one 'round here has started a Win it For thread for our 2008 Phillies. I'm getting the ball rolling, feel to chime in early and often, pass it along, even start your own threads.

John Flaherty to Mad Dog Russo: "Well, I think it's just one of those years. Look at it, Charlie Manuel's mom dying, then Victorino's grandmother. I really just think that there are forces at work behind the scenes for Philadelphia."

This is what happens when organizations let unpolished "tools" players walk in the Rule 5.

For all the Dodger quotes I've seen/heard/read since last night about how they stood up and showed they weren't going to be brushed back and knocked-down by the Phillies' pitchers anymore, let the record show it took Russell Martin (The Quebecois version of Paul LoDuca, IMO) being plunked in the knee by Moyer, then having his tower buzzed by Clay Condrey before Hiroki Kuroda went after Victorino.

The cavalcade of subplots (Wait, you're telling me Bowa has Philly ties? Tommy Lasorda, too? Jerry Martin should've been in left field on Black Friday? Jeff Kent's a lone wolf still looking for a ring? Chuck and Manny go waaaaaaaaay back?) - snoozeville. Let's play some damn games, huh?

July 17: Phillies acquire Joe Blanton from Oakland for pitcher Josh Outman, second baseman Adrian Cardenas and outfielder Matt Spencer. Consensus: Joe Stinkin' Blanton? Those cheap S.O.B.'s. Was Steve Trachsel unavailable? Did they secretly re-hire Ed Wade?? Why don't you just give the division to the Mets, already?!

Cole was cruising. No jams, a hysterically easy 5-pitch 7th, and 101 pitches through the 8th.

The Phillies are sending signals that left fielder Pat Burrell will miss Game 1 of the National League Division Series a€" and perhaps more time a€" with a back injury that occurred during Monday's workout day.

This was certainly not the kind of news we needed coming out of media day: Pat Burrell left the Phils' pre-NLDS workout earlier today with lower back discomfort.

If the grim forecast for tomorrow in Philly holds true, I'll bet game 1 happens Thursday and they use Friday's travel day for game 2, since there's only one game on the docket (Red Sox vs. Angels) a 9:30 EST start time, at that.

Phillie Phanatic w/Peter Gammons' favorite band in the world, Little Feat. Last night at the Keswick.