3.5 games back and coming in fast.  Last night saw another Phillies win and another Braves loss.  Chase Utley has been out hurt, Jimmy Rollins is day-to-day hurt, Shane Victorino left the game hurt, none of that mattered last night.  Three home runs, one by Ryan Howard, others by Jayson Werth and Cody Ransom, were just a part of the Phillies offensive showing last night.

Cole Hamels started and was just okay, going five innings, eight K's, three runs, but it ended up being enough.  David Herndon got the win which was the first of his Major League career.  He got it in the classiest way possible for a relief pitcher.  Come in and blow the lead, only to have the offense get it back for you in the bottom half of the inning.  A truly stolen win, you've to admire his effort.

Talk about production in the middle: Polanco, Ibanez, Howard, and Werth all have two hits on the day.  Rodrigo Lopez, the former Phillies, had no answer for the Phillies offense and got battered around in his five innings of work.

Tonight the Phillies have Roy Halladay facing off against the ever-inconsistent Edwin Jackson.  You know Roy's going to be strong, but Edwin is a wild card.  No-hitter? Maybe.  10 runs in three innings?  Maybe.  We'll just have to see. Seven in a row is on the line tonight and trades are on the horizon, stay tuned.

Currently the Phillies are one of many suitors in the Roy Oswalt sweepstakes.  Not only would the Phillies have to fight other teams to make the best offer, but there are many reasons why Roy Oswalt wouldn't be a great fit in Philadelphia.  For one, he's indicated that he would prefer a smaller, more tame city than say a New York or Philadelphia.  Let's just say that the Phillie Phaithful aren't exactly a jolly bunch, we're not afraid to let the boo birds fly and I don't know how that would sit from Oswalt.  Secondly, his 2011 option presents a large financial obligation that the Phillies don't appear content to make.  Simply adding up the package demanded and the money owed, the price may not be right for Oswalt.

It must also be considered that if the Phillies offense truly is coming back to form, then consistency, not dominance is what the Phillies need from their pitching staff.  The price tag for consistency is considerably lower than dominance.  However, it remains to be seen what Ruben Amaro will value when if/when he pulls the trigger

With Moyer out, the current staff consists of Halladay, Hamels, Happ, Blanton, Kendrick.  Namely, Kendrick should be replaced, but regardless you can never have enough pitching.  So if Roy's not the guy (and don't get me wrong I hope that he is), who will/should be donning the red pinstripes for the stretch run and what characteristic they can bring to the table for the Phillies?

Ben Sheets

Dominance.  There was a time when Ben Sheets was on track to be one of the best pitchers in baseball with his back-breaking curveball.  Fast-forward to 2010 and Sheets has battled through inconsistency and injuries to find himself on a no-win team out in Oakland.  However during the wild pennant race of '08, Sheets pitched great before having elbow surgery in '09.  Getting trade to a contender could be exactly what Sheets needs to channel his inner dominance.  Better yet, the Phillies don't have to depend on him staying healthy for years to come because he's going to be a free agent after the season.  Love having guys playing for a contract year.  Also the cost of Sheets is at least a tier below that of Lee, Haren, Oswalt -- nearer to the Phillies comfort zone.

Ted Lilly

Consistency.  Ted may be 3-8 for the lowly Cubbies, however his 1.12 WHIP is encouraging.  Ted is a young man's Jamie Moyer and a two-time all-star (once being last season, no less).  He's another with a lower price tag, but no commitments after 2010.  Lilly may not go out and match Doc Halladay shut-out for shut-out, but he's going to keep you in the game until the end, which is exactly what an offense like this one in Philadelphia needs.

Fausto Carmona

Potential.  After winning 19 games in 2007, Carmona fell off the face of the earth.  Him and Sabathia were supposed to make the Indians contenders again, but his sky-rocketing ERA had other plans.  In 2010, Carmona has gotten back on the winning track, albeit not the dominant one of old.  However a move to the NL and another shot at a pennant race always helps.  After this season, Carmona's $6 million price tag is manageable and from there he has three years of club options.  The Phillies and Indians have had success doing deals in the past, there's no reason that can't continue with Carmona here.

Shaun Marcum

Controllable.  Two seasons removed from Tommy John surgery, the Blue Jays Opening Day starter should be getting better as time progresses.  His price tag will be higher compared to some guys, but the ability to control him in '11 and '12 (via arbitration) would be a great evaluation time to see if Marcum, who's only 26, is a viable option for the future.  With Moyer likely dead soon and little immediate help from the minors, this could be exactly the avenue the Phillies explore.