Clifford The Big Red Dog

Game 106 - Phillies

Phillies 3, Rocks 1

Record: 61-45, 7 games ahead of Florida

Since we last posted, the Phillies have recovered rather nicely from a hellish June. You might recall the Phils posted a absolutley horrific 6 and 12 record against the AL East. Funny thing is, they were 3 and 3 vs. the Yanks and Sox and 3 and 9 vs. the "others".

The Phils were 43 and 37 exactly one month ago when I last posted and struggling to gather momentum. Old mo found the Phils in the familiar form of one James Calvin Rollins.

Back on July 7, Jimmy's batting stats were ghastly: .224 avg, .275 OBP, 7 HR, 33 RBI.

They are still unsightly today but they are moving northword thanks to a stellar month at the plate. His numbers are now: .245 avg, .294 OBP, 13 HR and 51 RBI.

Much better, eh? In that time the Phils went 18 and 8 while increasing their divison lead in the "Little Division That Couldn't" from 2 to 7 games.

Now that Clifford Lee has arrived to do what Cole Hamels is having so much difficulty doing - pitch as the staff ace, the Phils have every reason to feel comfortable that they are in perfect position to win a third straight division title.

Much needs to settle with regard to the rotation - who's in, who's out - and despite the huge lead, the history of this game and this franchise warns us to not look past tonight's tilt against the Fish let alone to October.

Still, I'm likin' this title defense so far.