Phillies win the series, and now we have to cheer for our enemies.

Before I even say a word, I hate the all star game.  I hate the fact that something so important as home field advantage is determined by players on sub .500 teams and pitchers who aren't throwing half as hard as they would be in a real game.  It's awful. 

But, Tuesday Night, I'll be cheering for Scott Rolen, Brian McCann, Chipper Jones, Carlos Beltran, and Jair Jurgens.  And when the clock strikes midnight Tuesday night, I'm back to despising them. 


Regardless, having a good series going into a break is crucial, and something the Phillies stepped up and did today and this whole weekend series.

Friday night was one of those weird-odd games for the first 9 innings.  From the double rain-delay to Carlos Ruiz hitting one of those homeruns that may not of traveled 335'.  But then Juan Perez comes out of the pen and fires 3 strikeouts on 9 pitches, and then Raul hits a walk off moonshot, and the Phillies win.  Always great to see walk-off wins, and despite appearing a little shaky at times, Roy took care of business.

Saturday saw Cliff Lee be the only player offensively and defensively show up, as his home-run accounted for all the Phillies offense, and despite him throwing a magnificent 8 innings of 3 hit 1 run ball; Phils lost.  Again, you can't hang you heads too low on games like this since you wont go 162-0, but it's brutal spoiling a pitching performance like that.  If it's any consolation however, Cliff Lee looked as good as he has all year throwing...once again.

As Charlie Manuel likes to call it "hittin' season", I guess the 95 degree afternoon in Philly accounts for that.  The Phillies 20 hits on Sunday were a season high, and the crooked 14 runs on the board looked great. The Phillies outfield accounted for 12 RBI's, and Michael Martinez put up a 4 hit game.  Just one of those fun games to watch, and being against the Braves, it's even better since the game was of utmost July-baseball importance. 

Phils enter the all star break 57-34.  3.5 game lead.  Best record in baseball.  On pace to finish with 101 wins, if you were counting.