Show of hands, Giants fans...

If I told you at the beginning of the NLCS that the Giants would beat Roy Halladay AND Cole Hamels, raise your hand if your would take it.

That if in Game 4, the Giants would face Joe Blanton, who hasn't pitched in nearly a month, and throw Madison Bumgarner, raise your hand if you'd take that.

Now how about if I told you that if EVERYTHING goes wrong in Game 4... they lose 20-0 and are no hit... they would still be tied 2-2 with Tim Lincecum on the mound at home? Show of hands if you would take it.

I expect to see a LOT of hands in the air.

I thought the Phillies were winning in 5.
They've got to run the table to win in 6.

And tomorrow is the ONE TIME the Giants aren't going to face a former Cy Young winner or NLCS MVP on the mound.

Blanton is a decent pitcher with a big heart.
Bumgarner is a solid pitcher with great stuff.

You'd have to favor the home team in that match up.

Hands up if you'd take that.

I know Giant fans shouldn't get ahead of themselves... but isn't cool to be in a situation where they SHOULDN'T get ahead of themselves?

Win tomorrow... then start getting giddy.
The Giants are half way there.

Hands up if you were expecting THAT?
(Mine would NOT be up.)

Hey Phillies... you call this a Pennant Defense?

Seriously... I thought you guys were ready for a 3rd straight World Series appearance going into this weeks series against the Astros, who aren't exactly world beaters.

On Monday the Phillies were 2 1/2 games out of first place and were up 3 games in the loss column over the Giants.

And the Braves were thrashed apart by the Rockies, including blowing a 10-1 lead yesterday. This should have been the moment that the Phillies made their big move in the standings.

And what did they do? They dropped FOUR AT HOME TO THE ASTROS!!!!

They not only GAINED nothing but they let the Giants tie them in the loss column for the Wild Card.

They got great starts out of Blanton and Hamels and a monster clutch homer out of Jimmy Rollins. And tonight had Roy Halladay against former Phillie J. A. Happ.

NOTHING! THEY GOT GOTCH!

And now they have to go west and play the Padres. This SHOULD have been the week where the Phillies made a run at the best record in the National League... instead of wondering if the Giants, who are hosting the lowly Diamondbacks, will overtake them.

Then again, the Diamondbacks could be a problem for the Giants... they have nothing to lose... just like the Astros.