Cliff Lee has been just outstanding since joining the Philadelphia Phillies going 4-0 with a 0.82 ERA and a 34 to 6 K/BB rate. It’s really obvious saying that Lee has been the piece needed for Philadelphia in the 2^nd half. Philly was dead last in team ERA for a part of this season.

Cole Hamels has struggled with an ERA of 4.69 entering tonight. Jamie Moyer didn’t have his best stuff this year and was replaced in the rotation by Pedro Martinez, ouch! Brett Myers hasn’t pitched since May 27^th and may return this season, but his positive impact is suspect. Hamels, Moyer and Myers were the three key starters that helped the Phillies win the World Series last year.

Along with Cliff Lee, Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ are carrying the starting rotation the 2nd half of this season.

-You already know about Lee.

-Blanton has not allowed more than 3 runs in a game since June 18^th and

-J.A. Happ leads the team in ERA at 2.66 for his full season at the MLB-ripe age of 27.

This year offensive pieces, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino, and Raul Ibanez are helping slug the Phillies to a NL best 628 runs.

The Phillies were carried last season by the same outstanding offense except replace Raul Ibanez with Pat Burrell.

This year, the Phillies have the 3^rd best run differential, and a 6 game division lead. Last year, they had the 5th best run differential and were in 2nd place.

If Brad Lidge can get his 7.21 ERA back to his career average of 3.45 then the Phillies could use their formula of 3 hot starters with a great offense and a closer to win the World Series.