It is the top of the 7th and I'm so upset. I don't know if the Phillies are going to win or lose but this Buffoon that the Phillies are paying to mis-manage the Phillies has pulled another dumb move. After two innings where Lidle through only 18 total pitches and only one ball - he lifts him for a pinch hitter - Alex Gonzalez who promptly grounded out to the pitcher... Now we go to that bullpen who haven't been able to hold a lead the rare time they have had one to protect. We now need 3 innings of good pitching from our bullpen... How much faith do I have? None. I would be willing to bet that

Mike Richards, the young Philadelphia Flyer's center is another reason, the Broadstreet Blogger is predicting the Flyers will go deep in the playoffs, possibly to the Finals. Richards is used to winning and being a big part of it. His teams have won at every level (and usually he is the leading scorer and the team leader. Let's take a look: 1. OHL Junior Hockey Champions in 2003 2. CHL Memorial Cup Runner-up 3. World Junior Championship Silver Medal in 2004, Gold Medal 2005 4. AHL Calder Cup in 2005 with Philadelphia Phantoms In all his playoff and championship hockey (77 games in all), Richards averages over a point a game, including last years Calder Cup when he arrived 8

Keith Primeau skated with the team again today. Yes it is a long shot that he will return for the playoffs this year but I can still hope. Heck, as a Philly fan that is all I ever do... hope, hope, hope but never, ever celebrate. The Flyers came up one game short of going to the Stanley Cup finals during the last NHL playoffs in 2004. Keith Primeau was the X-Factor, he seemed to be everywhere - playing strong defense, hitting anything wearing a Jersey that didn't say "Flyers" and scoring timely goals. Yes it would be wonderful to have Primeau back 2004 was his best Playoff season ever and it was great to watch. Primeau's statistics 18 games

In his second start for the Clearwater Threshers, Cole Hamels was on Fire - 9 strikeouts in 5 innings, 0 runs, 2 hits. So in his two starts, he has pitched 11 innings, struck out 16, given up 4 hits and allowed zero runs. Keep your fingers crossed that his back stays OK.

Three games in April and not a single strikeout... Yes, your hitting streak is over but we need you to stay focused. The team needs you to be getting on base to win games. As for the streak, it was very exciting and from a Philly fan who is used to not much excitement -- Thanks!

Cole Hamels pitched tonight for the Phillies Florida League affiliate the Clearwater Threshers against A.J Burnett who was pitching in a Rehab assignment the the Blue Jay's affiliate Dunedin. The line: 6 innings pitched, 0 runs, 3 hits and 7 strikeouts. As everyone knows, this kid has great stuff and it would be exciting if he could stay healthy enough to pitch in the majors.

Why is this past his prime, losing machine still starting. Why is he a #1 catcher. During the drive to make the playoffs, Manuel repeatedly pinch hit for Lieberthal, he didn't play him with Jon Lieber and the team was better for it. Mike Lieberthal singlehandedly lost the game tonight: 1. He repeatedly misframed pitches causing every close pitch to go for a ball. 2. He and Flash weren't on the same page and Flash called a pow wow to tell Lieberthal to follow his lead. 3. He couldn't even throw out Albert Pujols who stole second rather he air-mailed it to center allowing Pujols to go to Third 4. Then with the bases loaded after the previous two batters

Whether to focus on the good, the bad or the bonehead moves by Charlie... The Good 1. #37, I leaped out of my seat screaming with joy when J-Roll smashed a 3-0 pitch for a double. 2. Three hits by Utley 3. Two hits by Burrell, Abreu, Lieberthal and Rowand 4. Deep homerun by Ryan Howard 5. Geoff Geary two scoreless innings of relief - look for Geary to be the surprise of the bullpen in 2006! 6. Abraham Nunez starting over David Bell The Bad 1. Lieber and Julio Santana serving meatball after meatball 2. Aaron Fultz showing none of the confidence he displayed at the end of 2005 3. Darth Rolen hitting a grand slam and finishing the