NL East Champs... AGAIN

The Phillies are the National League Division Champions... AGAIN! No big deal. Been there, done that. It's another red October, and according to Roy Halladay, "it's only going to get funner."

Phillies Win the Pennant!

This doesn't get old! For the first time in franchise history, the Phillies win back-to-back National League pennants. The Phillies 10-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers sends them back to the World Series!

Andre Eithier's solo home run put the Dodgers on the board, but Jayson Werth's three-run shot changed the entire atmosphere. Werth, who smacked two home runs, tipped his cap and raised his arms to the fired up crowd. That was the attitude for the rest of the game. The Phillies took a 3-1 lead and didn't look back. Even when the Dodgers loaded the bases with nobody out in the eighth inning, there was never doubt that the Phillies would lose.

It wasn't a good homecoming for Vicente Padilla, who allowed six runs. The Phillies kept tacking on. Pedro Feliz and Shane Victorino each homered. Raul Ibanez added a RBI double. Victorino waited for Ronnie Belliard's fly ball to reach his glove as Carlos Ruiz and Brad Lidge rejoiced on the pitcher's mound with the rest of the team joining them.

Cole Hamels, who looked shaky in his 4.1 innings, handed over his NLCS MVP to Ryan Howard. Howard deservedly earned honors, driving in a run in eight consecutive games (which ended on Wednesday). Howard batted .333 with two home runs and eight RBI during the Championship series.

This series was amazing. Cliff Lee's eight inning shutout and Jimmy Rollins' walk-off were two of the top highlights during one of the best postseason series in franchise history. Celebrate Philadelphia, but we still need four more wins!

As seen on Phillies Nation.

Phillies Stun Rockies, Clinch NLDS

Take a deep breath Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Phillies clinched the National League Division Series with their 5-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Just when all life was sucked out, the Phillies dramatically rallied in the ninth inning.

Cliff Lee was spectacular. In 7.1 innings, Lee allowed three runs (1 earned). He gave up five hits, walked three, and struck out five. However, his dominant performance diminished when Ryan Madson came into relieve in the eighth.

Shane Victorino statred the scoring with a solo shot in the first inning. Jayson Werth's home run in the sixth inning made it 2-0. Troy Tulowitzki cut the lead in half with a RBI double against Lee in the bottom half of the sixth.

Lee started the eighth inning, but was replaced by Ryan Madson after the circus came to town. Dexter Fowler reached with a walk. Todd Helton hit a soft grounder to Chase Utley. Utley reached out to tag Fowler, who went airborne, leaping over Utley. Utley flipped to Rollins at second, but he missed the catch. Everybody was safe, and Madson entered with one out as part of a key double switch. Ben Francisco entered the game for Raul Ibanez. Francisco made a terrific diving catch, robbing Tulowitzski.

With two outs, Madson could see his way out of the inning. How quickly a stellar performance from Lee and an amazing catch were erased. Jason Giambi's RBI single tied the game.

Yorvit Torrealba caused the Phillies a lot of trouble, homering off Cole Hamels earlier in the series. He struck again, ripping the hearts out of Philadelphia fans all across the country with a two-run, go-ahead double.

The game was over. Get ready for game five. The Phillies stranding the bases loaded twice proved to be costly. The offense didn't show up against Ubaldo Jiminez. Why didn't Charlie Manuel keep Lee in? Not so fast. The Phillies led the league in come from behind wins in 2009. Once again, they showed their resilience.

With two outs in the ninth inning, Utley drew a walk against closer Huston Street. Then, Ryan Howard clobbered Street's 2-1 offering over the head of Carlos Gonzalez. Victorino rounded third, but missed the bag. He went back to tag, with Utley on his heels. Victorino and Utley scored, tying the game at four. Werth followed with a RBI single, giving the Phillies a 5-4 lead.

It was not Brad Lidge who started the ninth, but Scott Eyre. Eyre rolled his ankle on Sunday night, but that did not stop him from getting two quick outs. He allowed two runners, and it was up to Lidge to seal the deal. He did. Tulowitzski chased a nasty slider to end the game.

This game, and this entire series, will go down in the books as one of the greatest in Phillies franchise history. The Rockies played the Phillies tough, but luckily the Phillies finished on top. Los Angeles Dodgers, we'll meet again on Thursday.

As seen on Phillies Nation.

Limping Into the Postseason

Most of the teams that have already clinched a postseason spot aren't exactly playing good ball right now. Here are the records over the last 10 games (Saturday's night games not included):

Yankees: 7-3
Red Sox: 4-6
Angels: 5-5, Last 20: 10-10
Phillies: 4-6, 3 game losing streak
Cardinals: 3-7, 8-12 last 20
Dodgers: 3-7, 5 Game losing streak, Last 20: 10-10
Rockies: 7-3, 5 Game winning streak

If the Tigers win the division, they aren't exactly on a roll either. All the NL division leaders each recently went on a 5-5 stretch.

The only teams that are hot right now are the Yankees and Rockies. It could be argued that because the regulars are not playing, teams aren't winning. However, most of the NL teams have been fighting for home field. The Red Sox were in a bad slump before they clinched.

Also, it is not good to enter the postseason cold. For those being rested, long layoffs are not always good. Remember the Rockies in 2007? Their hot 21 of 22 streak carried into October, however they had a long break between the NLCS and World Series. It backfired and they lost to the Red Sox. It's okay to give a player rest; a day here, a day there. It's a long, tiring season. But sometimes too long can be trouble. If a player is slumping it may help, but if they're playing good ball, then it may turn into a problem, taking that player out of their rhythm.

Most of these teams are hopping into the postseason on one foot.

NL East Champs!

The Phillies are the 2009 National League Eastern Division Champions! The Phils have won three consecutive NL East titles. The last time that happened was 1976-1978. The Phillies will now fight for home field advantage.

Phashback: September 30, 2007

On this day in 2007, the Philadelphia Phillies clinched the National League East. The Mets fell to a 7-0 hole against the Florida Marlins before the first pitch was thrown in Philadelphia.

The epic Mets collapse helped the Phillies win the division for the first time since 1993. There was a huge celebration at Citizens Bank Park that evening, as if it were a World Series title.

Click here to see the video and re-live the moment.

Magic Number: 1

Check out this pre-game video from 1993, the day the Phillies clinched. The Phillies will try to clinch tonight.

Phils Have Chance To Clinch During Astros Series

For full gameday visit Phillies Nation.

Houston Astros (72-83) at Philadelphia Phillies (90-65)
Yorman Bazardo, RHP (0-2, 9.55 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels, LHP (10-9, 4.11 ERA)

This could be the deciding series for the Fightin’ Phils. With their magic number at three, the Phillies could clinch as early as Tuesday depending on the Braves’ outcome. The Phillies need to take care of their own business by beating the Houston Astros, who swept them in four games at the beginning of September.

When the games get bigger, Cole Hamels gets better. In his last six starts, Hamels is 3-1 with a 2.01 ERA. He struggled against Houston, allowing four earned runs in six innings.

Hamels will be opposed by Yorman Bazardo, who his seeking his first win of 2009. Bazardo is making his fourth start of the season. He has not lasted more than five innings in any of his starts. Bazardo allows a lot of base runners, 2.08 walks and hits per innings pitched. Opponents are batting .341 against him.

The offense has been better lately, and they should be able to handle Bazarado. However, they have a tendency to struggle against pitchers they’ve never faced before. The “RISP” stat will be a key stat to look at during tonight’s game.

The Phillies were unable to clinch on the road, but it could turn out to be a blessing in disguise if they can clinch in front of the home crowd. The rally towels will be out tonight, and the rest of the series.

Note: J.C. Romero has been activated from the DL. Carlos Ruiz could be back as early as Wednesday.

Three Decades of September 28

September 28 has been an eventful date in Phillies history. On this day, the Philadelphia Phillies clinched the division in both 1983 and 1993. Also on this day, the Phillies closed Veterans Stadium.

In 1983, the Phillies beat the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field to clinch. Greg Gross made the last out in left field.

In 1993, the Phillies beat the Pittsburgh Pirates to clinch. Mariano Duncan hit the game-winning grand slam. John Kruk flipped to Don Pall to secure the 10-7 victory.

In 2003, the Phillies closed Veterans Stadium.

Phlashback: September 27, 2008

A year ago today, the Phillies clinched the National League East. It was the first time since 1976-78 that they won back-to-back titles.

Just like 2007, Jamie Moyer won the deciding game. The Mets did not collapse epically like the year prior, but they still were unable to hold their division lead.

Brad Lidge finished it off with the save, thanks to a spectacular double play.

Here is Swing and a Long Drive's post from that game!

VIDEO COURTESY: The Fightins

Year In Review: Clinching the NL East

It was the second to last game of the season. A Phillies win or a Mets lost equaled the second straight National League East crown.

The Phillies would play the Washington Nationals, who they beat in 2007 to clinch the division. The Mets opposition would be the Florida Marlins, the team that kicked them out of postseason contention just a year before. Jamie Moyer, who won the 2007 clincher, started the clinching game of 2008.

The rally towels were waving way before the game started. The Mets had won their game 2-0 against the Marlins, but the all the Phillies had to do was worry about their own business.

The Phillies got on the board in the fourth inning with two sacrafice flies to take the lead. However, the Nationals answered back as Anderson Hernandez smacked an RBI double off the wall and just above the glove of Jayson Werth.

Jayson Werth added a solo home run of his own, and Pedro Feliz drove in another run for the Phillies to give the Phillies a 4-2 lead, on their way to clinching the postseason. Jimmy Rollins potentially saved a run with an over the shoulder, Willy Mays style grab, collding with Shane Victorino. Shaken up, each stayed in the game.

With a perfect Brad Lidge on the mound, the lead felt comfortable. However, it wasn't the case as number 41 was quite then adventure.

The Nationals came back in the 9th inning to score a run, making it a 4-3 game off Lidge. There was just one out, and the bases were juiced. Their best hitter, Ryan Zimmerman was due up.

"The pitch to Zimmerman... ground ball up the middle, J-Roll dives, to Utley
one.. the relay, double play! The Phillies are the National League Eastern
Division Champions on a spectacular double play! To J-Roll, to Utley, to Howard.
What a play by J-Roll!" - Harry Kalas

And just like that, the Phillies became back to back NL East Champs. Brett Myers made a promise. To go further than they went last year, which was 3 and out. Charlie Manuel agreed, and the Phillies would do just that.

The post game celebration was down played from 2007 as the Phillies knew there was still unfinished business.

PHOTO COURTESY: MLB.com, Seattle Times

NLCS Bound

The Philadelphia Phillies are headed to just their 7th all time National League Championship Series, with their 6-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. The last time the Phillies were in the NLCS was back in 1993, when the underdogs beat the Atlanta Braves to move onto the World Series.

The Brewers prevented a sweep on Saturday, but the Phillies came right out of the shoot today.

Jimmy Rollins led off the game with a solo homerun. All year, the Phillies go as JRoll goes, and that was the case again today.

Prior to the game, Burrell teased Rollins to get things started, and he would follow. It turned out to be no joke.

In the 3rd inning, Jeff Suppan intentionally walked Ryan Howard to get to Pat Burrell. Burrell had been 0-8 in the series. However, in his career, Burrell was a .450 hitter against Suppan.

Burrell increased those numbers. He hit a 3 run homerun to give the Phillies a 4-1 lead. Following Burrell, Jayson Werth his a solo homerun that gave the Phillies a 5-1 lead. Burrell later hit another homerun.

That was it for Suppan, the 2006 NLCS MVP with the Cardinals, as he lasted just 3 innings. That was all Joe Blanton would need as the Phillies never looked back.

Blanton pitched 6+ innings allowing just 1 run on 5 hits. He did not walk a batter, and struck out 7. The lone run came on a Prince Fielder homerun, his first hit of the series.

Madson pitched 2 innings in relief to help "build the bridge to Brad Lidge." Lidge finished off the game, and was hugged by his teammates after the final out to Jimmy Rollins.

Champagne corks pop, beer was poured over heads once again, but the Phillies still know they are still 8 wins away.

Photo Courtesy of Phillies.com

Brew Crew/ Phils NLDS

The Milwaukee Brewers clinched the National League Wild Card. The Mets missed their chances and were eliminated for good. The Brew Crew is in the post season for the first time since 1982. They'll play the Phillies in the first round of the playoffs, the National League Division Series.

The Brewers can make the same mistake the Phillies made last year when they clinched: over celebrate.

Obviously, the city of Milwaukee is going to be pumped, and should be, especially since its been so long since they've made the playoffs. That was the Phillies case last year. They pretty much celebrated like it was the World Series, minus the parade.

The Phillies celebration this year was much shorter. Last year, they used twice as much champagne as they did this year. They know there is still baseball left and some unfinished business. The Phils have some playoff experience now, so they learned from last year.

Also, the Phillies had a chance to rest players this year for at least one extra day. The Brewers had to use their star players today. CC Sabathia started today, therefore will not pitch in the playoffs until the second or third game. The Phillies were in the same exact position last year, and got swept in the postseason.

Therefore, the Brew Crew is in the same boat the Phils were in last year, while the Phillies have a little more experience, and know what is in front of them.

Playoffs start on Wednesday.

The Philly Way: NL East Champs!

Photos courtesy of Phillies.com.

In words of Jimmy Rollins, they did it the Philly way. They did it, but it wasn't easy. Either way, the Phillies are the 2008 National League East Divison Champions.

It marked the second straight division title for the Phillies. It was the first times since 1981 the Phillies won back to back division titles.

It was deja vu all over for Jamie Moyer. He earned the win in the last game of the season in 2007 when the Phillies clinched, and again today when the Phillies clinched.

Moyer pitched 6 innings, allowed just one run on 6 hits, and one walk.

Two sacrifice flies by Pat Burrell and Carlos Ruiz accounted for the Phillies first two runs.

The Nationals moved to within a run when Anderson Hernandez doubled off Moyer. Jayson Werth also made a great catch, but dropped the ball as he banged into the fence.

Werth would get that run back on his next at-bat with a solo homerun that gave the Phillies a 3-1 lead.

In the 8th, Ryan Madson got into a jam. The first two runners reached base. Lastings Milledge hit a sacrifice fly which drove in the run. On the play, Jimmy Rollins made a terrific over the shoulder catch as he tripped over Shane Victorino who was coming in on the play. Victorino was down for a few minutes, but stayed in the game. As we later found out, it wasn't the best play of the game for JRoll, and Victorino seemed to be OK.

In the bottom half of the 8th inning, Victorino reached base on an infield single. Pedro Feliz followed with a gapper that scored Victorino from first base.

The extra run proved to be huge.

With Brad Lidge coming in for the 9th the game appeared to be over. But that was far off. At a perfect 40/40, Lidge almost blew his first save of the year.

Lidge started the inning with a strikeout to Emilio Bonafacio. Hernandez blooped a single with a runner on second to make it a 4-3 game. The bases would be loaded with just one out, and with Ryan Zimmerman due up.

Zimmerman grounded up the middle. The ball had eyes, but Rollins came up with a diving stop. He flipped the ball to Chase Utley, who finished off the double play by throwing it to Ryan Howard. Howard made the catch, raised his arms, a perfect 41/41, a heart attack, ballgame. National League East Division Champs.

The players rushed out to Jimmy Rollins to celebrate. Champagne and beer were poured over everybody. Unlike last year, the players wore goggles, learning from a rookie mistake.

Who the Phillies play in the NLDS is unknown. It will either be the Mets, Brewers or Dodgers. The Mets won today, and the Brewers loss, therefore the Wild Card is tied.

While the Mets and Brewers will have to use one of their best pitchers and position players, the Phillies can save some guys and allow some players to get an extra day of rest.

The celebration was quick. Players and fans were excited. However, it was not as intense as 2007. 2007 was the first time in 14 years the Phillies made the playoffs, therefore the celebration was absolutely nuts. In 2007, the players squirted fans with hoses, and used twice as much beer and champagne as this year.

The celebration was excited and intense by fans and players, but nothing matched the 2007 celebration. Corks were still popped, and beer was still poured over heads, and players rode police bikes around the stadium. The Phillies already had a taste of playoff experience, and know there is still unfinished business. The fans know it too. A World Series celebration would beat out both.

Magic Number: 1

As they say, history repeats itself. Tomorrow could be deja vu all over for the Phillies and Mets.

A familiar situation. Jamie Moyer takes on the Washington Nationals. The Flordia Marlins take on the Mets at Shea Stadium.

The only difference? Instead of the last game of the season, it will be the second to last. Also, Brad Lidge would be ending the game with his slider rather than Brett Myers' curveball.

So how did the Phils and Mets get back into a familiar situation?

All thanks to Ryan Howard, and a little help from Josh Willingham. Other players also played key supporting roles.

Joe Blanton took the hill for the Phillies against Collin Balester and his Nationals. The Phillies jumped onto Balester quickly.

The Phillies threw up a 3 spot in the first inning , and a 4 spot in the 2nd.

Ryan Howard was a key part to the offense going 2-4 with a homerun and a double. He drove in 4 runs. Howard set a Phillies club record for most RBI in the month of September with 32.

Chase Utley also helped out with a 3 run double.

Because he was rocked, Balester lasted just 1.2 innings, allowing 7 earned runs.

Joe Blanton pitched well enough to earn the win. He pitched 6 innings and allowed 4 runs, only 1 was earned. He got most of the batters to ground out. He walked only one batter and struck out 2.

The Phillies bullpen kept the Nationals bats quiet, and Lidge closed out the game to secure a Phillies win.

In the process, Charlie Manuel was ejected after arguing balls and strikes. It appeared that Lidge had struck out batter Kory Casto, but Casto claimed he tipped the ball, which hit the dirt. The replay showed that Casto did not tip it, but home plate and third base umpires disagreed, calling it a foul ball. Manuel got into a heated argument and was tossed. The foul ball didn't matter much, because on the next pitch, Lidge struck Casto out.

Also, for the first time at Citizens Bank Park, we experienced Instant Replay. A homerun was called after a fan appeared to reach over the fence. It was hard to tell where the ball was going to land, since he dropped the ball. None the less, the umpires ruled it a homerun.

The Phillies won their 90th game of the season. The last time the Phillies won at least 90 games was in 1993. It is also just the second time since 1983 the Phillies won at least 90 games. When the Phillies win 90 games, in the past it usually marked a trip to the World Series.

With the Phils win, their magic number dropped to 2 games. But the Mets lowered it with their 6-1 loss to the Marlins.

Chris Volstad pitched 6 innings and allowed just one run. His counterpart, Mike Pelfrey, allowed 3 runs in 6 innings. The Mets bullpen also gave up 3 runs.

Josh Willingham hit his 15th homerun off Pelfrey in the 6th. John Baker, Dan Uggla, and Jorge Cantu also each drove in runs.

A Phils win, or Mets loss, equals yet another division title for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Magic Number: 8

With 7 games left, the Phillies magic number is 8. That is because, the Mets have 8 games left of their season. However, to clinch a playoff berth, the Phillies magic number is 5.

On a side note, The Chicago Cubs clinched the National League Central Last Night. The Tampa Bay Rays clinched a playoff spot for the first time in their history.

The Phillies play their last game against the Marlins today. Jamie Moyer, who has owned the Marlins in his career, will get the start against rookie Chris Volstad.

After the Marlins, the Phillies will have a 6 game homestand starting with the Atlanta Braves, and ending with the Washington Nationals. Despite both teams being eliminated, both teams are going to be playing the Phillies tough. Neither team is going to just let a team win.

The Mets have a little bit of a tougher schedule coming up. The Cubs will go to Shea Stadium to play the Mets. The Mets may catch a break now that the Cub's clinched. Some of the Cub's key players may not play.

After the Cubs leave town, the Flordia Marlins will take on the Mets.

Hmm.. a familiar scenario. The Phillies playing the Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. The Mets playing the Marlins at Shea.

Could the regular season just like they did last year? The only difference may be Lidge throwing a slider instead of Myers' curveball.