Just when you thought it was safe to take the mound again….

The Milwaukee Brewers are in a very deep 0-2 hole following a 5-2 shellacking at Citizen’s Bank Ballpark. The Philadelphia Phillies roughed up C.C. Sabathia for five runs in the second frame, spearheaded by centerfielder Shane Victorino who knocked a couple of two-baggers and a round-tripper, for four RBIs and even chipped in a couple of base swipes. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins went 2-for-4 with a walk.  Phillies closer Brad Lidge recorded his second save in as many days by pitching a scoreless ninth. Milwaukee scratched out single runs in the first and seventh innings, but somehow couldn’t get to Phils’ starter Brett Myers who spun seven masterful innings for two runs on two hits and three free-passes.

Still that doesn’t mean everything’s all wine and roses on the Philly side of town. Monster masher Ryan Howard has yet to record one hit and left three in scoring position and Chase Utley is hitting a meager .125. The Brewers, who made the playoffs by the skin of their teeth on the last day of the regular season, now have to win the next three to make it to the next round of the playoffs. Smart money says Philly will have this wrapped up by Sunday. 

Right now, it looks like it’ll be the Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers for the National League Championship Series. By this time tomorrow, the Chicago Cubs will find themselves in the same 0-2 ditch as the Brewers. Gotta feel a little sorry for the Cubbies and their fans, the most loyal fans in any sport… one hundred years (a century!)... since their last World Series win and now 63 years since chalking up a pennant. The edge goes to the Phils in hitting, while the Dodgers get the nod in pitching, defense, and managing. With the notable exceptions of Manny Ramirez and Rafael Furcal wearing Dodger Blue, the rest of LA’s line is pretty non-descript, but they do their jobs. Credit manager Joe Torre for knowing how to win big games. The Phils might well have the best one through four hitters in baseball in Rollins, Victorino, Utley, and Howard as all know how to get on base, drive in runs, and hit in the clutch. What manager could ask for more? In a Philadelphia-Los Angeles series for the NL crown, the edge goes to the Dodgers on the strength of their pitching and Torre’s managing.