ESPN

Steve Phillips

  (2:31 PM)

Good afternoon, everyone. Looks like injuries may be affecting some of the races now, and it may not be the best teams that hold on. What's on everyone's mind today?

Deb

Thanks for taking the time to chat with the fans, Steve. Do you think the Cubs will be able to hold on to their lead in the central without Zambrano?

Steve Phillips

  (2:33 PM)

I do think the Cubs will hold on to their spot in the Central. The Brewers are struggling as well. But if the Cubs will excorsize their demons and win their first World Series in a hundred years, they will need a healthy Harden and Zambrano to do it. What makes the Cubs special is the impact and depth of their starting rotation. No one in the NL and AL can match Demptster, Harden, and Zambrano in a short series. The good news is the Cubs can afford to give both pitchers a rest. Remember, the Red Sox shut down Curt Schilling the last two weeks last season, and he went 3-0 in the postseason. So don't give up hope--it can still be the Cubs' year.

Mark (CT)

I feel like there might be a race in the AL East after all. Do you think the Rays can hang on or will the pressure of playing big games on the road in Boston and NY hurt their chances to win the East.

Steve Phillips

  (2:35 PM)

I still think they will hold on, although if the race gets any closer, there will be voices of doubt seeping into their minds. They really need to get Longoria and/or Carl Crawford back, so that they get a feeling of moving forward and improving. In yesterday's game against the Yankees, Eric Hinske misplayed two balls in left, and the Yankees ran on his arm. Aybar booted a ball that I think Longoria would have. The Rays are too good to let it slip now. I expect them to stay on top and win.

Sam (Lake Bluff, IL)

Steve, do you think the Yankees plan to have Joba begin in the bullpen again next season is a smart move?

Steve Phillips

  (2:37 PM)

I understand why the Yankees want to start Joba in the bullpen next year, because if he starts the year in the rotation, he will end up logging far more innings than they would like. I think at some point, you have to let him go and just pitch. Ideally, I would send him to winter ball and let him pitch that to add some innings, then build upon that next year while keeping him in the starting rotation.

Steve Phillips

  (2:37 PM)

I'll take Joba on my pitching staff, whether he is a starter or reliever. But I would let him grow up in the rotation.

Jesse (Ohio)

Steve, if you look Cliff Lee pitched some amazing games that he lost because of the bullpeen. Do you think Lee is having the best season ever for a pitcher?

Steve Phillips

  (2:39 PM)

I think he's having an unbelievable year and has been truly remarkable on a less-than-remarkable team. I'm not sure I'd go that far though. But certainly, he's moved himself to the front of the Indians' rotation and has taken pressure off of them to replace Sabathia next year. They need a bullpen and an offense to be a playoff team next year.

Todd (Philly)

Is Quentin being injured hurting his MVP chances in combination with Pedroia being red hot?

Steve Phillips

  (2:40 PM)

I think Carlos Quentin is still in the mix for the MVP, but he's far from a sure thing. I think Morneau, Pedroia, and Quentin are the leading candidates. If I had a vote today, I might pick Pedroia, as he leads the league in hits, batting average, and is third and total bases.

Steve (Yonkers, ny)

Can you explain Delgado's season early in the year i would of buried him away but now he looks close to vintage Carlos? How long can you see this lasting going into the playoffs and next season?

Steve Phillips

  (2:42 PM)

Delgado has, in some people's minds, put himself in the MVP consideration for his unbelievable second half. You have to believe that he's found his stroke again, and it's fair to expect his performance to continue. I expect the Mets to exercise his option for next year, and if they don't, they owe a $4 million buyout. He allows them the flexibility of going a number of different directions next season.

Matt (Central, NY)

What do you see as far as the Mets Playoff chances? It seems like the Cubs and Brewers could both falter given their apparent rotation issues (Zambrano and Sheets), which could open up a Wild Card possability if they don't take care of the division.Thanks for the insight.

Steve Phillips

  (2:44 PM)

I have them winning the division, and I have them in a head-to-head matchup with the Brewers. If the Cubs are healthy, they are the team to beat, but if Harden and Zambrano still have issues, then the Mets match up much better against the Cubs. Once you get to the playoffs, funny things happen--the team playing the best at the time wins, not the best team.

Frank (NY)

How come Brian Cashman isn't getting any heat for letting the Red Sox get players like Paul Byrd and Mark Kotsay? Byrd is clearly an upgrade over Ponson, Pavano, Rasnar, Hughes, Kennedy etc and all it would have cost them was for them to pick up the rest of his salary. I think that move alone might have put the Yankees in a better position to compete in the WC than they are right now. Your thoughts?

Steve Phillips

  (2:47 PM)

Even if the Yankees got those two, it would be unlikely for them to make the playoffs. I think Cashman made the right decision in not going berserk making deals. He added Nady and Marte in good deals, and at least Nady has been productive.Sometimes, you have to hedge your bets on considering trades, and the Yankees weren't going to give up multiple pieces for Mark Kotsay. I think Cashman does a very good job, and he would be a major loss for the Yankees if they do not retain him. They've made the playoffs 12 out of 13 years, and pretty much everyone would take that. That is Brian Cashman, and the Yankees are lucky to have them.

Justin (Danbury, CT)

Who do you see as the toughest team to beat in the AL in the playoffs? 5 game series or 7 game series.

Steve Phillips

  (2:51 PM)

I think it has to be either the Angels or Red Sox. The Angels have great pitching depth, and the Red Sox have experience and one of the best big-game pitchers in the game in Josh Beckett (if he's healthy). There's something to be said for playoff experience, as when the chips are down, you have something to draw upon to get out of a jam. As it currently stands, it would be likely that the Red Sox and Angels would meet in the first round. The Red Sox swept the Angels in 2004 and 2007, so the Angels have their work cut out for them.

Eric (NYC)

Hi Steve. What are the chances Lincecum gets the CY this year? He has been the only good thing to happen to San Fran this year.

Steve Phillips

  (2:53 PM)

With Brandon Webb's recent struggles, Lincecum certainly should get strong consideration for the award. This has also opened the door for CC Sabathia. I might very well vote for Lincecum over Webb despite the win difference. Lincecum's K's have been phenomenal, and he is more dominant when he's at his best than Webb is. I don't think the voters will acknowledge Sabathia in the NL Cy Young race, because he only came over in July. If they don't look at Sabathia as a Cy Young candidate, I would at least hope they consider him an MVP candidate, as it seems clear the Brewers would not go to the postseason without him.

Nelson P (NYC)

Hey Steve. Huge fan of you. What do you make of Robbie Cano? He seems to have gone from a top 2 or 3 2B to possibly out of the top 10 over the past two years right?

Steve Phillips

  (2:55 PM)

Cano seems to lack the mental toughness and discipline needed to grind out 162 games. He seems to lose his focus and interest at times. He has far more talent than Pedroia, but he's not half the player. Cano misses Larry Bowa as a coach for the Yankees, as Bowa rode Cano all season long last year. The Yankees have to find a way to motivate this talented young player, or they'll give up on him and somebody else will.

Bert (Houston)

The Astros have been HOT lately! Do they have a chance to be this years Rockies or are they just too far out?

Steve Phillips

  (2:56 PM)

It's been a great run for the Astros, but they're just too far away at this point.

Steve Phillips

  (2:57 PM)

They have showed great heart and determination, but they lack the parts necessary to sustain a playoff run.

JC (CT)

Do the Mets even make in past the first round in the playoff with a bullpen as horrid as theirs?

Steve Phillips

  (2:57 PM)

Absolutely, especially if Billy Wagner comes back. Even if Wagner doesn't make it back, I think Jerry Manuel could mix and match his way to a victory.

Steve Phillips

  (2:58 PM)

Thanks for your questions. The clock is ticking, and I'm looking forward to chatting with you next week.