The Phillies are one-win away from the World Series and are doing it in memorable fashion.  Matt Stairs just ensured that he’ll never have to pick up another check in this town again with a monster two-run shot (sample text I received immediately after: “500 ft”) than admitted postgame that:

“I’m not going to lie,” Stairs said. “I try to hit home runs. And that’s it.”

Of course, that home run wouldn’t have made a difference if Shane Victorino hadn’t put his name in lights again, with a two-run game-tying blast that made what was formerly Lenny Dykstra’s postseason RBI record his own (this about that: Shane has had more RBI this postseason than any Phillie … ever.)

Who knows what happens from here – maybe this Phillies team can close out the series, and maybe this is all for naught – but it certainly doesn’t feel that way from here.  It feels like I’ll be keeping game four inn the “save until delete” DVR file for quite a while – and it feels like it’ll have some company there soon too.

photo credit: Yong Kim, via the inqy

“Hey, the postseason makes heroes, man.  When you do it in the postseason, everyone knows who you are.” – Scott Eyre

Three lines on their world:

1. Bossman Junior Upton propelled the Rays to a win and series lead over the Red Sox

2. Old Eli Manning was in the house as the Browns romped all over the Giants
3. and Terry Bowden is out at Clemson

Three lines on ours:

1. The Phillies are one win away from the World Series

2. And get to start a fully rested Cole Hamels in the potential clincher tomorrow
3. The Flyers dropped to 0-2 (ten (!) points behind the red hot Rangers)
   

Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and what everybody is talking about after the jump

PHILLIES

Rich Hofmann, who I’ve been told I’m in the tank for and therefore will be trying to skip all week, checks in with Cole Hamels, who wants – and has earned – the game five start. Dammit Hofmann, I liked you better when you were saying ‘the whole team is a bunch of pansies’ and “I’m just like a pro athlete, but my job is harder”. READ

Hofmann then pens a second article about Cole‘e toughness, including many of the same quotes but entirely different lede grafs and conclusions. SKIP?

Hofmann also writes that Ruben Amaro Jr. has apparently been a Matt Stairs fan for the better part of two years.  Great timing on that acknowledgement Ru, I loved him too – and totally called Manny hitting .600 these playoffs – can I be the next GM? SKIP

Les Bowen says that the Phillies didn’t let Manny beat them.  No, but they did their damnest to – he was on base five times. SKIP

Kate Fagan credit’s Utley’s defense. SKIP

Paul Hagen gives out the talking points, apparently for those who don’t watch the games, or follow sports. SKIP

Paul Hagen says the the Phillies stole a win, and that it was a game-changer. SKIP

Sam Donnellon calls Shane Victorino “Manny West” then compares him to Rose, Lenny, and Manny.  Fuckit, throw in Bruce Wayne, Barack, and Jesus.  Kid has earned the hype. READ

Phil Sheridan points out that Manny West has stayed in the spotlight this postseason. READ

John Gonzalez says that Hamels broke his mold by giving a good soundbite, which showed that he’s ready to step up.  I’d argue that THIS was pretty interesting, as was THIS, and there were a few good ones HERE (shamless self promotion alert on the last one).  He then un-apoligizes to Mike Missaneli for stealing “Heavy B,” which really opened my eyes. If I had known all it took to get in the column was an angry email over something I pretend to copywrite you’d be writing my press releases by now.  I wrote an article on Hamels you know? How dare you violate the trust and gank that.  I talked to Kalas one time too, so he’s off limits as well.  Column please. (although this won’t help:) SKIP

Gonzalez wants to go to the Playboy Mansion, Sheridan has got Entourage jokes (just two years too late, too), and Ford is old and cranky (hah, I wrote that before I read his part and it was still so true.  Poor Ford, always old and cranky). SKIP

Why are the Phils winning? Bob Ford credits luck. SKIP

Jim Salisbury goes beyond the box score, and does it well. READ

Wow, does Mike Jenson get Matt Stairs to walk into a bad quote.  Check it, just for the 6th graf down. I’m guessing he hears about that one today. Yikes. READ

Marcus Hayes says that it came down to a battle of the bullpens, and the Phils was a bit better (or a bit let worse). READ

Marcus Hayes, again with the bullpen.  He looks at Corey Wade, who got the Dodgers there but couldn’t get it done. SKIP

Jim Salisbury credits the bullpen. READ

Kate Fagan gets the managers’ takes on all the brushbacks. READ

Zolecki’s notes look at the fines, the bullpen and more. SKIP

Murphy’s notes look at the fines and Kyle Kendrick. SKIP

EAGLES

Les Bowen gives McNabb a free pass for the week. SKIP

Bob Brookover says the Birds are about to be in an odd situation: too many weapons. READ

Mike Kern wonders if the Eagles glass is half full or half empty. SKIP

Bob Brookover’s notes point out that Shawn Andrews is on his forth back specialist – this one is the guy who worked on Lenny Dykstra (uh oh). READ

Mike Kern wants a WestBuck backfield. SKIP

Reuben Frank says that Buck has earned more touches. SKIP

Reuben Frank points out that Andy Reid just took a shot at T.O. SKIP

Reuben Frank says that the Eagles don’t know personnel, and have an awful, useless team because of it. SKIP

SIXERS

Phil Jasner writes that the Sixers are ready to bomb away. READ

Kate Fagan reports that the Sixers have locked up Thad Young and Jason Smith through next year. SKIP

FLYERS

Ed Moran says that an empty house watched the Flyers lose their second straight. READ

Ed Moran reports that the the Flyers made a move for Andrew Alberts. SKIP

Wayne Fish says that the he has seen the state of the NHL and the NHL is strong. READ

Wayne Fish reports that Scottie Hartnell plans to kiss and make up with Andrew Alberts. READ

TODAY and MORE

 We’re chocked full of quick hits, so check back early and often.  As always, feel free
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This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 at 8:51 am and is filed under Morning Rounds. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.