ESPN

• Vote: ALCS: Yankees lead 3-1
• Chat: MLB with Keith Law, 1 p.m. ET.

A few years ago, the big story with the Phillies was the fact that they were the first-ever professional franchise to lose 10,000 games. Now, they may become the first back-to-back World Series winners in the new century.

Last night's NLCS Game 5 provided still more evidence that Philadelphia may be the most balanced team in baseball. With a lineup that features contributions out of nearly every player (even though Ryan Howard went hitless, Jayson Werth, Shane Victorino, and Pedro Feliz all homered), some shutdown starting pitchers, and a suddenly resurgent bullpen, the Phillies are sitting pretty. Surprised, SportsNation? Going by your judgments back in early July, late July, and even just prior to the series, you probably should be. Now, the only thing left for the Phillies to do is wait for the winner of the Angels-Yankees series, which SportsNation thinks won't take too long -- much like seemingly every other series this postseason.

• Vote: Do we really have a problem with civility in sports these days?

We're going to talk about civility. And if you don't like it, you can take that keyboard and shove it ... sorry, we got a little worked up.

Kanye West and Rep. Joe Wilson have made civility a hot topic in recent days, but the sports world can be plenty uncivil all on its own, thank you very much. Serena Williams went off on a lines person at the U.S. Open, Roger Federer dropped in a few choice words of his own in the men's final and Bills returner Leodis McKelvin found his lawn vandalized in the wake of a costly turnover against the Patriots Monday. Pouring a beer on Shane Victorino seems almost quaint.

Next on the agenda? Tennessee's visit to Florida, with almost 90 percent of voters convinced Urban Meyer will make the most of any opportunity to run up the score against Lane Kiffin. Would Meyer be adding to the list of wrongs or striking a blow for civility if he did?

• SportsNation blogger JMSuarez15, a school teacher, says athletes like Leodis McKelvin accept a degree of incivility when they sign for big money -- much more money than any teacher makes. And if McKelvin doesn't like it, he shouldn't fumble.

Colin Cowherd and Michelle Beadle plan to duck any objects thrown at them during "SportsNation" TV.

Argue the hot topics, vote on the biggest stories and chat during the show on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.

Note: Broadcast voting results as of afternoon ET.

Would you turn in a fellow fan?
The Cubs and Shane Victorino are going after the fan who tossed beer on the outfielder while he was trying to make a catch.

Did Azteca Stadium contribute to Mexico's win?
The raucous crowd sure enjoyed the 2-1 win. The U.S. has never won there. At this point, it's no longer a talent gap. Maybe it's the fans.

Do you love having a fast QB on your team?
Terrelle Pryor and other mobile quarterbacks provide an advantage that teams such as West Virginia and Texas have used quite well in recent years.

Who's more likely to catch the Madden Curse?
Is Troy Polamalu or Larry Fitzgerald destined to spend part of the season on the sidelines, or is all this curse talk a bunch of nonsense?

Which is the better comeback this season?
Will video-game Michael Vick or (as yet unsigned) real-life Michael Vick be more explosive and exciting on the field this season?

What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.

Pedro Martinez might not have been in the Cy Young form that helped him dominate the game a decade ago, but he was good enough to get the win in his first start for the Phillies on Wednesday. It was the fan harkening back to famous moments in beverage tossing circa 2004 that had us shaking our heads at how far we haven't come as a species.

As Shane Victorino settled under a long fly ball in the fifth inning, a beer lobbed from the bleachers arrived to complicate matters. He made the catch (the ball, not the beer), and despite his memorable sprint from center field after being ejected for arguing balls and strikes from afar earlier this week, he refrained from reacting to this dousing in the manner Ron Artest made famous in 2004.

A fan was ejected, albeit apparently not the right one, but should Cubs fans in the bleachers have turned on (or turned in) one of their own? Say what you want about the excesses of Red Sox Nation, but at least they throw their concessions at each other.

• Vote: How do you rate Pedro Martinez in his debut and the NL race with him in it?
• Groups: Chicago Cubs | This is the Year!! | Chicago Cubs haters

• Rankings: Which team is MLB's best?

We hate to ruin your Monday with talk of philosophy, SportsNation, but have you noticed that fans in Pennsylvania are ensnared by a kind of Yin/Yang duality when it comes to baseball?

On the one hand, you've got the Phillies. World Series winners in 2008, the Phillies are blessed with a wide array of talented players. Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins form one of the best double-play combos in baseball, while Ryan Howard seems to be on pace for near-record numbers of home runs. Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino anchor the outfield, while Cole Hamels looks to have a long career leading Philadelphia's starting rotation. The team has won eight straight and 13 of their last 14 games. It's no surprise that they're atop the NL East as the second half kicks off. SportsNation has them winning the division easily.

On the other hand, behold the majesty of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They haven't won a World Series since 1979, which isn't a terribly long time to go without a championship, but their regular season record is most concerning. the team hasn't had a winning season since 1992, going through seven managers in that timeframe. They have seemingly finally realized the futility of their situation, and have begun selling off what few assets they have. Jason Bay was traded in 2008. Nate McLouth left earlier this season in a controversial deal. Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez (whom SportsNation touted as the Pirates' midseason MVP) rejected supposedly low-ball contract extensions, and may be traded shortly. Pirates fans have seen rebuilding plans fail before. Will this time be any different?

• Who is the Phillies' best position player? The answer may surprise you.
• Ryan Howard recently reached 200 home runs, but SportsNation thinks he's not even half done.
• Groups: Die Hard Phillies Phans | I'm not a frontrunner: I'm a Pirates fan!
• User sethsz3 thinks the Phillies will easily take the NL East, but sees them losing to the powerhouse Dodgers.