National League Scramble, Yankees, Women's World Cup Culprit

I think I will focus the discussion on Larry Craig's stance on stem cell research. That should be adequate to get a full blown war going between Ari and Grossy. Good times....

The Phillies got a much needed win last night, beating Tim Hudson and the Braves 5-2. Ryan Howard, who according to some is vastly overrated, opened the scoring with an RBI single, raising his batting average with two outs and runners in scoring position to .368. Great baserunning by Chase Utley helped cause an error from Chipper Jones that meant 3 runs, and then the Phils rode their best pitching performance in a while from Kyle Lohse to an uneventful (for a change) 5-2 win at CBP. I must admit Grossy was right. He was excited by the Lohse signing and I poo-poo'd it at the time, but Lohse has been strong with the exception of his last start at Washington.

Of course, San Diego and Colorado both won last night, keeping the Phillies and Rockies tied, a game behind the Padres in the wild card chase. Interestingly, Arizona is now only 2 ahead of the Rockies and Phillies, and they play Colorado this weekend in Denver. The Mets continue to struggle and are now only 1 ahead of the Phillies. Bottom line. 2 games separate 5 teams, 3 of which will go to the playoffs. What happens if all 5 have the same record at the end of the year? They will need a week to figure out what three advance!!!

Tonight, the Phils will face Smoltz and send Kyle Kendrick to the mound. Kendrick is 6-1 at home this season, and Smoltz does not particularly like CBP, so who knows....The Mets send Pedro to the hill against St. Louis and Joel Pineiro in a make up game, San Diego sends Cassel against Gallardo to open a tough four game series against the still breathing Brewers, Arizona gets to end their skid with defending Cy Young winner Brandon Webb against an 0-6 Van Bsdukfhjkagfa, and not that it matters since the Dodgers have seemingly left early for spring break, but Colorado goes for 11 straight at LA.

In the American League, congratulations to the New York Yankees, who made it to the playoffs for the 13th straight time (would be 14 as they had best record in AL in '94 when strike hit). No matter what payroll arguments you have, that is a simply incredible feat. To put it in a way that Phillies fans can understand, the Yankees have been to the playoffs every single year since the Phillies last went in '93. Remarkable.

Looks like just about a lock that the playoffs will open next week with the Yankees at Cleveland and the Angels at Boston. The Tribe is 0-6 against New York this year. However, the Yankees did not face Sabathia this year and will face him twice, possibly both times in Cleveland. Playoffs should be exciting to say the least.....

In an example of crappy coaching and overthinking the situation, the US Women's Soccer team got whacked by Brasilia 4-0 today when their coach made a goalie switch. Hope Solo has been the exclusive goalie for the U.S., has played well, and led the team to the semi finals. The coach then made the switch because Brianna Scurry is 12-0 lifetime against Brazil, and he liked the match up better. Is Charlie Manual the coach of this team (couldn't resist). This is a ludicrous decision, and that coach clearly should not be coaching our National team.