June 15 -- A TEST AGAINST THE BEST

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Surely, it comes as no surprise that the Phillies are among the elite teams in the majors. They did, of course, win a little something called the World Series last October, and they have a big, shiny trophy to prove it.

That said, teams are always measuring themselves against the competition to see where they stack up, and the Phillies just completed a perfect 10-game test. They went 2-2 against the Dodgers in L.A., losing a pair of games because Brad Lidge blew ninth-inning leads. They moved on to New York and went 2-1 against the rival Mets, losing despite hitting four homers against Johan Santana before coming from behind to win a pair of games. Finally, they went 1-2 against the AL-best Red Sox at the Bank, and if Greg Dobbs' near-homer in the 11th inning Friday night had been ruled fair, who knows? So, overall, they were 5-5, which isn't too shabby when you consider:

1. Jimmy Rollins went 7-for-44 (.159) with a .174 on-base percentage.
2. Lidge went on the disabled list.
3. Antonio Bastardo, a 23-year-old with two career triple-A starts, replaced Brett Myers, meaning 40 percent of the Phillies' rotation consists of rookie left-handers.

So, as the Phillies catch their breath today and prepare for the Blue Jays' arrival tomorrow night, I ask you this: After watching them take on three prime contenders, what's your level of confidence that the Phillies can a) get back to the playoffs and b) win another World Series?

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Recapping the weekend in The News Journal: Lidge told us his balky right knee is feeling better (he's scheduled to throw from the mound Tuesday); in our Sunday MLB notes, we talked to assistant GM Chuck LaMar about Jason Donald's knee surgery today and analyze the impact it may have on the Phillies' attempts to trade for a pitcher; Rollins wonders if a pregame chat yesterday with John Smoltz may help him regain his mojo; in the notebook, we look at Raul Ibanez's shoe problems, Kelly Dugan isn't easily star-struck, and Tyler Walker hopes to stay with the Phillies for a while.

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Last Tuesday night, Rollins stood in the clubhouse at Citi Field and told us Santana's velocity was down. Sure enough, The Johan gave up nine runs in three innings yesterday against the Yankees. The Mets believe the velocity drop is due to a blister. At least they hope it's nothing more serious.

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So, who watched "The Pen" last night on MLB Network? Please post your reviews of Episode 1 in the comments section.

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Thanks to everyone who stopped by Section 111 before yesterday's game and got their copy of "Phillies Confidential" signed by Gary Matthews and yours truly. Sarge and I definitely hope to schedule another signing in the near future, so please stay tuned for more details.

June 14 -- SURVIVOR: PHILLIES (UPDATED)

BY SCOTT LAUBER

When MLB Productions approached the Phillies' relievers early in spring training to pitch the idea of a reality television show, Brad Lidge had his reservations. On the surface, it sounded like fun. But, during the grind of a long season, did he really want cameras and microphones and other potential intrusions that could disrupt the bullpen's routine?

"If you're doing well and you're used to your routine, all of a sudden something changes, you think, 'This can only be bad,'" Lidge told Philled In yesterday. "But they've approached it in a way that hasn't bothered what we're doing. It hasn't taken us out of our rhythm."

And tonight, at 8 p.m., Lidge and his fellow relievers will be reality TV stars.

A six-episode series, titled "The Pen," will premiere tonight on MLB Network. The series will feature on-field and off-the-field interviews, beginning in spring training and running through the All-Star break, and will be narrated by former Phillies reliever Mitch Williams. Since spring training, a film crew has been following the Phillies' bullpen, and after catching a sneak peek at the first episode, Lidge is pleased with the final product.

"They did a good job capturing a lot of off-the-field stuff," he said. "People don't realize we have families and we're just doing the normal stuff also."

Early bets are Clay Condrey, a Texan with a deep-South twang and dry sense of humor, will be the show's breakout star. New episodes will air June 21 (9 p.m.), June 28 (8:30 p.m.), July 12 (8:30 p.m.), July 19 (8:30 p.m.) and July 26 (8:30 p.m.).

And, when the Phillies relievers kick back to watch tonight's, they'll be a tired bunch. Thinned by injuries to Lidge (knee) and Scott Eyre (calf) and taxed after tossing 16 innings in three straight extra-inning games, the 'pen was forced to log another eight last night. Condrey had to pitch one inning despite a cranky back, and Manuel said Chan Ho Park was unavailable because of some tenderness in his arm. Sergio Escalona was summoned earlier in the day from Class AAA Lehigh Valley, and it's possible the Phillies may have to recall another reliever from the minors before today's game

(Updated, 11:30 a.m.): Sure enough, the Phillies have purchased the contract of Tyler Walker from Class AAA Lehigh Valley and sent Escalona back down. I covered Walker in the minors at Class AA Binghamton way back in 2000 and 2001, and man, do I have some stories (all good, of course).

"There are some guys that are a little banged up," Jack Taschner said last night. "Any time you have to cover a ton of extra innings, that's always tough."

But at least some of them may have a reality TV career when this whole baseball thing is over.