PHILLIES PROVE THEIR WERTH!

The Philadelphia Phillies are going to have the chance to defend their World Series title, a feat that is very rare in this era of baseball. They can thank their MVP Ryan Howard, they can thank last night's hero and ALCS stud Jayson Werth (who bolted a hot pair of homers), they can thank their new ace Cliff Lee, and they can thank their born-again closer Brad Lidge. Sure, there were many more factors since this team, as a whole, played well. Not only that, but they played like a defending champion, and they did it with the guts and heart of a lion.

This is the no-doubt best team in the NL. They may have the best 1 through 9 in the playoffs, although that distinction can also go to the Yankees. The difference between them is that everyone seems to clicking for the Phillies. These guys are the real deal, clutch as can be, and if they can keep their pitching above water, their second championship in a row could be in sight.

Last night's 10-4 elimination win over the Dodgers, as was most of this series, just emphasizes how a great line-up can eat up mediorce pitching for breakfast. The only man in the Dodgers rotation that had pitched well, Vincente Padilla, was swallowed whole! Ned Colletti is going to have to overhaul that rotation in the off-season.

For now, though, the Dodgers drop back to a distant memory. Joe Torre can go drink his green tea in peace, Manny can shower whenever he wants, and they can hope that the young Dodger players have taken some valuable lessons from this ousting.

The Phillies now await for a victor to emerge from the ALCS. The Yankees hold a 3-1 lead going into tonight's Game Five, but the Angels are turning to their ace to send them back to NY with them. You can bet that Charlie Manuel's gritty crew of mashers will be watching. So will I.