This picture from today’s Inquirer shows Carlos Ruiz breaking Game 1 wide open last night. His shot deep into the L.A. night put the Phillies on the right track and demonstrated why his continued offensive production is making him into one of the best catchers in baseball. Aside from Ruiz’s fabulous defensive skills, he’s developing into a potent bat in the back end of the order.

Great lineups aren’t defined as much by stars in the 3-4-5 spots as much as they are by trouble for the opposition in every spot. Like the Yankees, the Phils can do damage anywhere in their lineup which is why they’re never out of a game and why so few pitchers can go deep into games against them. Their depth means every inning is a concern for their opponents and the pressure that applies is a powerful intangible.

With Ruiz playing the way he is, it makes the Cliff Lee deal even sweeter in the sense that parting with Lou Marson looks even smarter now than it did then. Gambling that Ruiz’s development would continue and that he’ll backstop the Phils for years to come is looking more and more like a great bet on Ruben Amaro’s part. Go Phils!