on the one hand, Cole was absolutely dominant in the 6th & 7th (if that curve he is snapping off in the playoffs is here to stay, we are looking at the emergence of a truly superb pitcher) – and he was locked in. Clear that if you handed him the ball in the 8th, her would have gotten us from 6 to 3.

I feel sorry for So. I expect his sojourn in the States is about to be over. There was just something about Philly that didn’t work for So. That will be his last at bat, and last appearance as a Good Guy. Sayonara So, since you did not cost us last nights game, best wishes to you.

I listen to the Phils a lot more than I watch them, but late in the season I really started to zone in – and I am REALLY impressed by the current incarnation of Ryan Madson. He is truly looking hard to deal with. So I felt pretty good about sending him out on the 8th. I also like the idea of Cole leaving riding that edge he had going, and the Dodgers having that in the back of their minds if they ahve to face him again (i.e., if they dont get swept)

So, if you do pull Cole, who DO we send up to bunt? Do we have a better bunter on our bench (including the other starters) who is clearly a better bunter than Cole?

and speaking of mccarver, i cant take him. he just said (twice) Madson has the best changeup on the phils, while Hamels is widely considered to have the best or 2nd best (to Johan) change in the majors. and on at least 4 occasion tonight, after great hamels changeups, McCarver has said on the replay “good fastball”. this is getting absurd