When the Phillies are on, they don't just win. They crush teams. The pressure on the pitching is constant.
In this still young postseason, the Phils have the best batting average and best slugging percentage. The Rockies were pitching great until the Phillies got done with them.
"You can go zero, zero, zero with them and then they put up a 5," Bowa said. "They don't put up a 1. They don't put up a 2. Then, you go zero, zero, zero, 4."
The Phillies led the National League in runs (820), home runs (224) and slugging percentage (.447). And the top of the lineup is terrific on the bases.
"It's an explosive lineup," Bowa said. "You leave a crack in the door open, they kick it in. You make an error, they kick it in. You walk two guys, the guy hits a bomb. They're the most explosive team in the National League."
In dispatching the Cardinals in three games, the Dodgers pitched around St. Louis star Albert Pujols. That is a strategy they won't be able to employ against Phillies slugger Ryan Howard.
"We can't treat Ryan like Pujols because they have too many weapons," Bowa said. "But that's how you would treat him if they didn't have as many weapons as they have."
There are all those 30 home-run guys and all that speed, a unique combination in today's game. It is why the Phils' lineup is so feared. There is never a moment to relax.
"You pitch around Howard, you've got [Jayson] Werth," Bowa said. "You've got [Raul] Ibanez. You've got Jimmy [Rollins] and [Chase] Utley at the top. [Shane] Victorino. They've got speed. They've got great defense. You've got to get to the bullpen and you wouldn't say that this year. It's a scary team."
