I could never figure out why the “Why Can’t Us?” thing didn’t really catch on during last year’s playoffs. If you don’t remember it, well maybe that’s because we opted for more creative and original playoff themes like “Red October.” In any event, the semi-famous phrase was uttered by a caller to an XM radio show and when asked whether the Philles could win the whole thing, he said “Why Can’t Us?” It’s perfect for this town because it’s spontaneous, organic, unique and frankly, a little stupid. Hell, in a town where we’ve virtually banned the preposition (”down the shore,” “done my homework”), that little hint of illiteracy is just so wonderfully Philly.

Another thing flying around last night and today that makes no sense is all the yapping about who will start for the Phillies in Game 7. Both Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels were asked this question in multiple forms after the Phils win last night and (predictably) both seemed confident they were the guy for the job. There’s just one problem: there won’t be a game 7 unless the Phillies win tomorrow night. It’s utterly amazing that everyone (myself included) is patching together dozens of pitching permutations in order to figure out which hurler will be the Phillies best bet on Thursday night. Who cares? As of right now there is no such thing as a Game 7. There is Game 6 tomorrow night in New York and that is the only thing that matters.

I’d explain the methodology of the coolstandings.com game simulations but most of the people reading this site wouldn’t understand. After all, statistical analysis is only slightly below speaking English properly on the list of things Philadelphians do well so you’ll just have to trust us on this. Before the start of the series, the Yankees were a 60.7% favorite to win it all. After the Phillies won Game 1, the Yanks became a 41.9% likely winner. As of right now, the Yankees are an 80.1% favorite to win. The initial odds on the Yankees winning the series in 6 games was a 55.4%. The other two statistically-significant outcome percentages are Phillies in 7 (19.9%, duh) and the Yankees in 7 (24.7%). Because I live in Philadelphia, I don’t know what this means but it doesn’t look good.