The Phils replaced the injured mediocrity of Kevin Millwood with the healthy putrescence of Cory Lidle, whom they acquired from the Reds, happily, for two Single-A prospects. The Phils must have felt lucky because on Sunday Lidle won his first game since June 30. Of course his 7.48 ERA in five starts since the break isn't all that awe-inspiring.

Then again, the Phils have had the estimable Paul Abbott in their rotation for quite some time, he of the 9.16 second-half ERA. Millwood actually had started to turn his year around in the second half with a 3-1 record and 3.77 ERA. Vincente Padilla is set to come off the DL for the first time since May 29, so I guess one has to assume that the Phils are better off with Padilla and Lidle or with Millwood and Abbott. Millwood and Padilla would probably be the best option, but that's not a possibility now.

The Phils' season is rapidly unwinding even as they successfully finish up their longest road trip of the season. After starting the trip 1-6 including a four-game by sweep at the hands of the Marlins and with Larry Bowa's job supposedly on the line, the Phils screwed up and finished up the trip 5-1. However, the didn’t gain any ground on the Braves in the NL East though they did gain a game and a half and one place in the wild card standings.

So a hot streak that got them to fourth, three games out in the wild card, the Phils are left with the estimable Bowa as manager and have now have lost Burrell for the year and Millwood and have replaced them with Lou Collier (really) and now Cory Lidle. I can't wait for the offseason housecleaning to commence.