So it comes to this, the end of the road for the 2011 Phillies or another hurdle on their way to another National League Championship Series? Choose or perish.

Roy Halladay versus Chris Carpenter. I'm so nervous. Hold me.

Discuss the game below.

The Phillies look to Ace No. 4, Roy Oswalt, to lock down their fourth straight trip to the National League Championship Series, where they will take on the Brewmondbackers.

Edwin Jackson gets the ball for the Cardinals in a must-win game for St. Louis.

Discuss the game below.

The Phillies and Cardinals face off in a crucial Game Three of the National League Division Series, tied at one game a piece.

Jaime Garcia, certified Phillie Killer, gets the ball and will be opposed by Cole Hamels.

Discuss the game below.

The Phillies look to take a "commanding" 2-0 lead against the Cardinals in the best of five division series, and will do so behind Cliff Lee, author of six complete game shutouts in the 2011 regular season. He'll be opposed by Chris Carpenter, the Cardinals' 36 year old ace and author of his own 11 strikeout masterpiece last week in the Cards' final regular season game.

Most of the lineup has been hitting lately. Let's hope that continues.

Discuss the game below.

Continue reading this post »

The Phillies kick off their fifth straight postseason late this afternoon in Philadelphia against the St. Louis Cardinals, who shocked the baseball world (and themselves, more than likely) with a September surge that led to the team's Wild Card berth and a date with Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and the Phillies crew.

Due to their late season run, which went to the final day, the Cardinals were not able to align their starting rotation to permit ace Chris Carpenter to start game one. Rather, former Phillie Kyle Lohse will get the ball in the first game and will oppose Roy Halladay, who will look to repeat last season's NLDS Game One magic. Carpenter is slated to pitch game two on three days rest.

Get all your Cardinals coverage over at Viva El Birdos.

In honor of Halladay's Musings on the Bard yesterday, enjoy some Marlon Brando

Discuss the game below.

Continue reading this post »

162 games, and it comes to this, a meaningful contest between two teams with things to play for (although some things more urgent than others).

The Braves hope to win and guarantee at worst a tie for the National League Wild Card spot, while the Phillies look to win their 102nd contest of the season, a franchise record that would also give skipper Charlie Manuel the all-time record for victories as Phillies manager.

The Braves send ace Tim Hudson to the hill to take on Joe Blanton, who will allegedly give way to Cole Hamels about midway through for a few postseason tune-up innings and a possible shot at his 15th victory of the season.

Discuss the game below.  See you in October!

Continue reading this post »

The Phillies look to play a**hole to the Braves again tonight in Atlanta, who held on to their one game lead in the National League Wild Card race thanks to an extra inning loss by the Cardinals (to the lowly Astros, no less).

Roy Oswalt goes for the Phillies against Derek Lowe, the drunken sot.

Discuss the game below.

Continue reading this post »

The scuffling Phillies head to Atlanta for the final three games of the regular season against a Braves team left fighting for its postseason life, leading the Cardinals by just one game for the National League Wild Card spot.

You're going to hear lily-livered cowards talk about laying down for the Braves this weak to ease their entry into the playoffs ahead of the red-hot Cardinals.  I want none of that.  I want 102 victories, which would set a franchise record for wins and give Charlie Manuel sole possession of the winningest Phillies manager spot.

To that end, Cliff Lee takes the hill looking for his 17th victory and a desperate last-gasp Cy Young Award push.  The Braves counter with Randall Delgado.

Discuss the game below.

Continue reading this post »

Hello? Is this thing on?

I have no illusions that this will be a highly watched game in light of pretty much everything... crappy play, meaninglessness of the proceedings, and a certain football team's big divisional game at the same time.

Use this thread to discuss anything you want.

Roy Halladay is going for his 19th victory, to get to the point. And the Phillies have historically clobbered Mike Pelfrey BIG BIG BIG PELF.

See ya around.

Continue reading this post »

Joe Blanton starts his first game since May as the Phillies look to bring their post-clinch seven game slide to a halt against Dillon Gee and the Mets.

Woo hoo baseball yay.

Discuss the game below.

Continue reading this post »