I know they still need to win one more game to make it official, but the Phillies sure as hell looked like champions tonight. Every part of the team seemed to do their jobs well. The top of the order hitters got on base (Rollins/Werth were 5-for-9 with a walk) and the clean-up guy (Howard) wiped the slate clean with not one, but two monster homers to tally 5 RBIs of his own. Former Athletic Joe Blanton tossed a solid, quality-start, going 6 innings, allowing only 2 runs on 4 hits with 7 strikeouts en-route to earning the win. Good to see Big Joe step up in the spotlight and come up big for the Phils, especially after the uninspiring regular season he had.
The Phillies bullpen tossed 3 scoreless innings in support of Blanton, even though All Star closer Brad Lidge wasn't even utilized due to the big lead. All of those contributions added up to a very convincing 10-2 win for the Phils.
Now up 3-1 in the series, the Phillies will have a golden opportunity tomorrow to secure the championship at home with virtually-unbeatable Cole Hamels taking the mound. The Rays will hope to send the series back to the Trop for at least one more game and will be pinning their hopes on young lefty Scott Kazmir. I would say that I'm expecting a low-scoring pitcher's duel, but in Citizen's Bank Park and with Ryan Howard swinging a hot bat, I would not be surprised if we see another homer-bonanza tomorrow.
