Buzzmaster

  (1:00 PM)

Steve will be here shortly!

Steve Phillips

  (1:17 PM)

It seems like things are nearly decided, unless we have a dramatic turnaround in the series. It's a bit surprising, but the Rays and Phillies have played well so far. What's on your mind today?

Paul, Philly

Do the Phils close out the series tonight?

Steve Phillips

  (1:18 PM)

I do think the Phillies will win Game 5 and get a chance to head back home and rest. Cole Hamels has been October's best pitcher so far, and I expect him to pitch another very good game tonight. His changeup has been phenomenal, and he's kept hitters off-balance with it inning after inning. I think they have momentum after stealing Game 4 and will ride that to the Series.

Dan (Boston)

Steve, with Lowell having surgery and only 1-2 years left on his contract anyway, do the Sox make a run at Teixeira? Has the Manny/Boras situation damaged Boras' relationship with the Sox front office?

Steve Phillips

  (1:20 PM)

I think the Manny/Boras has hurt the relationship a bit, but both parties understand that they still need each other. I don't think the Red Sox will go after Teixeira, as they have every expectation that Lowell will be able to come back. Even if he doesn't, I would think they would take a more cost-effective approach at protecting themselves than to sign Teixeira. I wouldn't be surprised if they lock up Sean Casey again for next year, which would protect them early in the season if Lowell isn't ready. Remember, they still have Julio Lugo under contract, and Lowrie can play third as well. I think they're fairly well-protected.

dave, newton

Steve, What do you think of Madden's move to flop Kazmir and Shields? It looks good at first glance but I've always thought you should step on a teams throat when you have the chance.

Steve Phillips

  (1:23 PM)

I'm a bit surprised by it, as Maddon said Kazmir would start Game 6, but with the off day today and Friday, It allows the Rays to protect their bullpen from overuse in support of Kazmir, who has been a five-inning guy as of late.

Mike (CT)

If it all plays out who you got? Phils or Rays?

Steve Phillips

  (1:26 PM)

I'd have to go with the Rays right now, but I reserve the right to change my mind. Despite the fact that the Rays were only 25-24 against lefties, and the Phillies would start two lefties against them, I just think the Rays have continued to improve in every series down the stretch. It would be a great matchup, as both teams have good offenses, very good bullpens, and outstanding defenses. I would probably go Rays in 6.

Rich (Boston)

Hi Steve, do you feel another comeback is possible. This year feels like a lost cause they don't seem to have the fight thye did in 04 and 07

Steve Phillips

  (1:28 PM)

It's possible still, because anytime you have Matsuzaka, Beckett, and Lester lined up, you do have a chance to win three in a row. But they can only worry about Game 5. But if Matsuzaka finds a way to win, and Beckett can reclaim a performance from postseasons past, then I like their chances in Game 7 with Jon Lester on the mound.

Chuck (Los Angeles)

What's your take on the idea that a Rays/Phillies World Series might be the worst match up in WS History?

Steve Phillips

  (1:31 PM)

From a ratings perspective, it wouldn't be great for this year, especially since we started out with the possibility of a Sox-Cubs Series, which would have been extremely popular around the country. I personally think both the Phillies and Rays are very good stories and have great personalities that people just don't know about. The Rays may be the biggest surprise since the '69 Mets, and that is a tremendous story. I guess I understand that neither team fires the emotions of the nation, but for baseball fans, it could still be a very interesting series to watch and follow.

Steve Phillips

  (1:31 PM)

What the Rays have done doesn't happen very often and people need to be told that.

Jason (Miami, Florida)

Where do you think Jake Peavy will go?

Steve Phillips

  (1:33 PM)

I know there are rumors that the Padres will deal him, and I expect he will recoup the Padres five or six high-quality players in return if so. Everyone in baseball will have interest in him, as he is still young and affordable. I understand why the Padres think now is the time to trade him, but the NL West is still a winnable division, as the Dodgers and D-backs have questions moving forward.

Vince(venice, ca)

I have great faith that the Dodgers will pull this out, but if they dont move on, what do you see them doing in the offseason?

Steve Phillips

  (1:35 PM)

I expect them to be very active in the offseason, especially with Lowe, Penny, Furcal, Kent, Garciaparra, Maddux, and Blake all coming off the roster as free agents. They free up a lot of money to spend, but I expect them to be aggressive going after free agents. I think they'll try to make a play to resign Manny, and I expect them to be players in the CC sweepstakes. Sabathia built a home in Southern California, and from what we hear, would prefer to play at home.

Pahking The Cah (Boston)

Fill in the blank: The Red Sox lost in the ALCS because __________________?

Steve Phillips

  (1:37 PM)

Their starting pitching failed them, other than Matsuzaka. They have not got the kind of starting pitching that was fair to expect. Beckett, Lester, and Wakefield let them down in Games 2, 3, and 4. Baseball is a game of redemption, and if Matsuzaka can win Game 5, the Red Sox will certainly have a motivated Lester and Beckett on the hill to try to win.

Travis (STL Mo)

With they Rays in most people's minds coming out of nowhere this season, are there any teams in the near future you could see doing the same thing?

Steve Phillips

  (1:38 PM)

I think the Rockies will be back again. They have a good core of young position players. They just have to figure out the pitching. With their young arms, the Giants could get into the playoff hunt. I count the Twins as a team already there who we shouldn't be surprised by, but they deserve an honorable mention.

Anthony Mt. Ephraim, NJ

Where do you see Pat Burrell ending up next season? Any remote chance that he will take a pay cut and stay with the soon to be 2008 National League Champions, the Philadelphia Phillies?

Steve Phillips

  (1:40 PM)

I don't expect Burrell to be back in Philly. All indications there are that they've resigned themselves to the fact that he won't be back. I expect Greg Dobbs to be in left for the Phillies. I could see the Giants having interestin Burrell as they desperately need power, and maybe the Orioles have an interest as well. The Padres definitely need offense as well. Burrell will be a hot commodity in the free agent market--he walks a lot and hit 33 home runs this year.

Aaron, NJ

What do you think of Torre giving his players the day off with his team one game away from elimination?

Steve Phillips

  (1:42 PM)

Torre knows his team better than anyone else, and it's difficult to question these sorts of decisions. I guess if I were the Dodgers' GM, I would have preferred a workout of some sort just to keep their players sharp and fresh.

Steve Phillips

  (1:43 PM)

Thanks for your questions, everyone!