A few things about the Phillies:

Chris Wheeler is fairly widely reviled as an announcer, and for excellent reasons (he's an ass, the conflict with Harry Kalas). But, I must say, he does have excellent attention to detail that produces some very interesting observations.

Also, going to be very interesting to see how things shake out with Pat Burrell, the Phillies organization, and the Phillies fans. Of course he hit that dramatic game-winner last night, and he just made an outstanding catch in the top of the 7th in a 2-2 game. He's been outstanding since the All-Star break last year. Considering his pedigree, I think he has more likelihood of carrying on his recent excellence than many players with a good year or two, but he's also sown a lot of ill-will with Phillies fans, who I think will always be ready to jump down his throat when the opportunity strikes. If he continues his excellent year, he will command a tremendous amount on the open market next year, and considering the widespread feeling that the Phils overpaid for him last time around, their decision this time will be very sticky.

How about this Chase Utley? He made an outstanding play to end the top of the eighth with a man on base, still 2-2. Best Player In The Majors, right now.

Also, a few more words about Brett Myers, who pitched seven innings of two-run, 10K ball tonight, an outstanding start. But, it probably won't quiet the talk about his velocity being down, as his fastball was often in the 89 MPH range. He did hit 90 and 91 with some frequency, 93 once that I remember. I don't know what all the hubub is, though. Myers has never been a consistent 95 MPH guy as a starter; I remember him in the past hitting 93 once or twice a game, 92 three or four times, and the rest of the time his fastball was at 90 or 91. As a closer last year, he often hit 95, but that's now who he is as a starter. His chance to be excellent is his curveball, not his fastball, so I think this business about his velocity being down is overblown.