Sorry Braves Fans

If you're a Braves fan like me, then you were probably pissed off when you heard that the Philadelphia Phillies have made a deal to bring in Cleveland Indians pitcher Cliff Lee.

This deal may very well propel the Phillies back into the World Series for a chance at back-to-back titles. The trade is pending physical exams.

As a Braves fan I feel like, once again, they have missed out on a chance to get back into the playoffs not by acquiring Lee, but by going after another big bat or two. Instead, they're probably going to sit back and ride the great pitching they've gotten this year, which is someting that has been missing over the last few seasons.

And I won't pretend to be angry that they went out and did something about the rotation this past offseason, as well as the offense. It's just that the offensive moves didn't quite workout as well as the pitching moves did.

Getting back to Philadelphia, though, it's hard not to say that they are now the favorites in at least the National League. The Phillies were able to keep young right-hander J.A. Happ in dealing for Lee, unlike they would have been able to do in acquiring Roy Halladay from Toronto.

Lee, the '08 A.L. Cy Young Award winner, is having another great season, though his record is just 7-9. However, Lee has posted a 3.14 ERA and walked only 33 batters in 152 innings pitched, though he has gotten no support from the meager Indians offense.

With a solid three of Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ, and now Cliff Lee, on the front end of their rotation, and Brad Lidge coming back into form, the Phils' should be expected to be in the playoff hunt come October with a chance to repeat.

Of course, they also have an offense that may be better than it was last season with the addition of Raul Ibanez, who's in the midst of a career year at age 37, and Jimmy Rollins is finally hitting in front of Shane Victorino. Philly's 3-4-5 of Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Ibanez is as good as any I've ever seen.

It's gonna be tough for anyone to knock the champs from their throne come playoff time.