Whatever.

I mean if the Phillies can get it done against the Yankees in the World Series they can have whatever moniker they want. After all, it's not like our beloved Reds have any claim to that nickname - haven't for quite a while and likely won't again for the forseeable future.

Interestingly, they try to do something this year that no National League team has done in over 30 years, since the Cincinnati Reds last won back-to-back World Series Championships.

Of all things, the 2nd of our championships came against these same NY Yankees who we unceremoniously swept out of the series in four straight in 1976 ... after sweeping these same Phillies in the playoffs that year in three straight.

Despite Rollins' brash prediction (or maybe because of that prediction), before entering the Bronx for Game 1, I believe these Phils can come out victorious. He, along with his team, has shown the ability to back up his boasts before.

Pedro's start in Yankee Stadium for Game 2 should definitely give the Phils some extra motivation in front of a hostile crowd. The Phillies did have an excellent road record this year as well so the Yankees with the home field advantage may not make a significant difference.

Yankee manager Girardi seemingly has little or no confidence in anybody in his bullpen whose name is not Mariano. One would figure that this powerhouse Philly lineup will feast on that and the Yankee starters will have extra pressure on them.

The Phils will NOT be intimidated by CC. The Phils have actually faced Sabathia 3 times over the past few seasons, all 3 while he was with different teams. This year with the Yankees, last year in the playoffs with the Brewers, and a while back with the Indians.

The Phillies have not been overwhelmed by Sabathia in the past. In 17.2 innings pitched they have reached him for 12 runs (all earned) on 20 hits with 2 HRs including Victorino's grand slam last October. That's a 6+ ERA.

The Phillies this year took Cueto and the Reds to town back in July to the count of 22-1. Until that time Cueto was having a rather masterful season and it took him nearly two months to get back on track.

Finally, in addition to their crafty and folksy manager, Charlie Manuel, the Phils have another secret weapon. Our former "interim" manager Pete Mackanin has been an able assistant on the bench. Unfortunately, it's not with our Reds that he's going to the World Series but I wish him well.

Agreed!

Might as well give the "Big Red Machine" moniker to a team that deserves it.

Sure as heck doesn't belong to this CHEAP@$$ loser organization anymore. If the Phillies win, Reds fans will be jealous of the Phillies stealing our decades old thunder of back to back titles.

And let's not fool ourselves....the Reds haven't a prayer of simply making the playoffs two years in a row, let alone winning back to back Championships.

LMMFAO!

That said.....I still hate the Yankees.

That said.....I still hate the Yankees.
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ditto that...

always have, always will

GO PHILLIES

Besides, Pete Rose figured prominently in the Phillies first World Series title back in 1980 and some other former Big Red Machiners (past their prime) tried again in 1983 but couldn't do it against the Orioles.

So, anyway, you could say the Philly franchise does have some Big Red Machine blood flowing through it to begin with.

One down and three to go!

One down and three to go, alright. Here we are three games later and for the Phils it's still one down and three to go.

Could be that the "Big Red Machine" of the '70s will live on unscathed with no pretenders to that throne.

Well, at least, this version out of Phila. does bring to mind one particular Cincinnati Red of recent vintage. They've hit seven home runs so far through the first four games of the series ... every single one of them a solo blast.

In other words, Adam Dunn - call your office!

Go Yankees!!

Go Yankees??? Apparently so ... back to NY for Game 6.

Well, I guess you hit enough "tappa's", and occasionally you are bound to hit a "tappa tappa tappa" as Chase Utley did last night against the under-rested and ineffective AJ Burnett.

So now the Phils holding at 10 HRs through 5 games with 9 solos and Utley's 3-run jack.

Well, it's back to NY now and whatever the perceived wisdom of Girardi's in Game 4 of rushing back CC to get the edge, now can be questioned.

Barring a rainout, Philly starters the rest of the way will be on regular rest, no matter who they decide to go with, and both the aging Pettitte and CC (for the 2nd consecutive time) will be going on only 3-days rest.

Looks like the Reds are not home free yet as far as keeping that moniker to ourselves.

Well if the Phillies do not prevail, a new contender for the title after last night may be the state of Virginia as the New Big 'Red' Machine.