The Zo Zone

Great win! However, can anyone explain why the manager pulled Romero for Alfonseca? Romero wasn't pitching that bad. Alfonseca's line:

0.0IP, 2H, 4R, 4ER, 3BB, 0SO (Ouch!)

Plus he gave up the Romero's IR! More coaching by numbers. :P

Credit the hitters for pulling Chuck's butt out of the fire. Had the Phils lost, we would all be pointing to this move.

Keep it going guys!

Have a safe flight. Go Phils.

Hey Todd,

I'm a big fan of your work. Gotta say this is about as excited I've been about a Phillies team since 1993. I'm sure I'm not alone. Listen, you probably have already received messages about this column, and I'm sure the phils have already seen it, but is there anyway to help the team to see it again?

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08262007/sports/mets/its_not_official__but_nl_east_.htm

I see it on the message boards and people have been inquirer as to how to make sure Charlie and co. post it in the locker room.

Thanks Todd! GO PHILS!

philly guy in florida go phils

Just spent about 30 minutes on Metsblog.com. All of us here are absolute princes, let me tell you. Talk about being ready to jump off a bridge...

So I flew into town and managed to catch a pretty good game yesterday. My mom "brought a book" just in case - this was her first Phillies game ever. Well, she didn't get much reading done. And I screamed myself hoarse. The two Mets fans in front of us left in the top of the ninth, so I didn't get the chance to say a proper goodbye. Oh, well.

Beating "The Rat" was a bonus. And Pat the Bat - the lady next to me told me he recently got engaged (not sure if that's true) - but whatever the cause, he just seems different. Totally demonstrative (like after Rowand's great catch) and really having a blast. It's great to see and be a part of. I'm not even mad at Alfonseca anymore!

Jimmymac's the man.

i like reading the my post sports page and i was definitely thinking about that column from last sunday during this series, ken. i'm glad jimmy rollins is throwing some cold water on things though- that's a good attitude to have. they looked dead in the water last week, and like world-beaters this week. all they did was get close with the sweep (even only gaining a measly game in the wild card with 4 straight wins). it's a heck of alot better than being 7 games out, but there is alot more to do. that was an unbelievable win yesterday, let's hope they can keep it going.

Garcia gets $10 million for one win and here's his body of work in that singular victorious effort:
5.0 IP, 4H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K'

Some offseason get he was. Forget him: I like the rookie sensations Kendrick and Durbin anyway.

Ok guys, have your insurance cards with you at the emergency rooms , special on ankle injuries . Giving out free PHILS CAPS ! Welcome aboard all ye naysayers . Enjoy the ride !

Ok guys, have your insurance cards with you at the emergency rooms , special on ankle injuries . Giving out free PHILS CAPS ! Welcome aboard all ye naysayers . Enjoy the ride !

What a great week of baseball. Yesterday was the topper, glad John In LA was there to see it, the excitement level was bonkers and a perfect game for his Mom to watch as her first. Enjoyed meeting them all.
J. Roll is right, we've been here or better before and the schedule for September is punishing. Six more before a day off then seventeen in a row before next break. Pitching will be what makes or breaks us. We keep winning like the last few days, I'm thinking of buying a defibrilator.
Dobbs summed it up best with his remark in dugout after game, which Comcast caught on tape.
Priceless!

No letdown in Fla., they need these games.

Over the next four series, we can't expect any less than this:
A three-game sweep at Florida.
Two of three at Atlanta.
A three-game sweep vs. Florida.
Three of four vs. Colorado.

Eleven wins in 13 games against a Marlins team nearly 20 games under .500, a sinking-fast Braves team and a Rockies team barely hanging on in a parity-driven NL West isn't asking much. Thoughts?

I love your optimism but I think a 9-4 run is more like it. They go 11-2, I'll even say nice things about Helms, Barajas, Leiber and Garcia.

Here's the nightmare scenerio I want every Philly fan to experience...Phils win series, they get full winners share. Do you laugh or cry?

Actually V, you're asking the team to win 16 of 18 (the 5 game streak they're on plus your 11 of 13). I'd love to see it, but yes, you're asking for too much. If they keep winning series', they will make up ground. 8-5 over that 13 game stretch would work. 11 of 13 and we can plan on being down at the yard for some playoff baseball.

...and the parity driven NL West?!?!? It's probably the best division in baseball top to bottom.

Yes Bill, that's the definition of parity, isn't it? But in hindsight, you're right - I should've struck up a more modest and reasonable prediction for their upcoming 13 games, like an 8-5 or 9-4 run. Touche.

One thing that is in our favor for at least the next two series is how the pitching matchups shake out. In FL, we don't have to face Willis, which is good. In ATL, I don't think we'll face either Hudson or Smoltz, and anyone else in that rotation is beatable (which is why they are having so much trouble). Meanwhile, the Mets DO have to face Huddy and Smoltz, a BIG boost in our favor.

So here's hoping ATL takes 2 of 3 from the Mets and then we sweep them (after sweeping FL of course!)

9-4 would be great (especially without Hamels). We'll see. Goosebumps.