Philadelphia Phillies' Unpredictability Could Be Their Greatest Weapon

Inconsistent. 

It's an adjective that perhaps best describes the Phillies' offensive production throughout this season, since interleague play began. But despite the fact that the offense has given Phillies fans a lot of headaches, heartburn, and maybe even panic attacks and ulcers, their is one undeniable fact: It has worked thus far. 

Not only has it gotten the Phillies within two wins of their first world series in 15 years, but I believe it will get them their first championship in almost three decades.

Why?

Overmanaging.

It's a verb that describes what a lot of mangers do in the playoffs. There is a never-ending list of things that fans and media can question about managerial decisions throughout a game that is eventually won or lost by the players.

Why did(n't) you leave your starter in? 

Why did(n't) you pinch-hit in that situation? 

Why did(n't) you put that guy on to get to so and so?

Why did(n't) you call that hit and run? 

Why did(n't) you go with your closer for the last five out instead of three?

The questions that certainly seem to get asked more than others are those about pitching changes or the lack thereof, and I predict that these are the questions Joe Torre and a not-so-fortunate A.L. manager will be answering in some upcoming press conferences.

Maybe Chase Utley is cold so you pitch around Victorino. Oh look, Chase just hit a go-ahead double to break out of his slump.

Maybe you pitch around Chase because Ryan Howard isn't hitting the way he was in September. Oh Gee, Howard just hit a game-tying home run to the opposite field.

And who would throw to Howard when you have Pat Burrell coming up, who just had an awful last two months of the season. Oh, that's right, you forgot about that three-run home run he hit against the Braves in the second to last series didn't you? And the three so far in the playoffs? You should have remembered those.

Well, at least you don't have to worry once you get past Burrell right? Unless, of course, you'd be worried about facing Jayson Werth, who can hit in the two-spot any given day or Greg Dobbs, who collects clutch hits like he's buying them off of eBay, or Feliz or Ruiz, who come through when you least expect it.

So go ahead, opposing managers. Walk that guy to get to the next guy. Bring in that lefty to face a lefty. Leave your starter in for one more batter instead of stalling and bringing on that reliever. It doesn't matter. The hot get cold and the cold get hot, but the only thing that matters is that, when it comes to the Phillies this year, it's not a question of if someone comes through; it's a question of who.

And the Phillies have more than nine answers for that question on any given day.

Go Phillies!