Kuzul

Every year, there’s always one move around the trade deadline that affects the rest of the MLB season or even the playoffs.

Much like last year when the Phillies acquired Cliff Lee in July, they made a move for this year’s best available pitcher: Roy Oswalt.

Adding Oswalt to a rotation with Cole Hamels and Roy Halladay means the Phillies have the best rotation in the Nation League. Despite being currently 2.5 games behind games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, they are now the team to beat in the NL.

This trade turned the Phillies from a team who could miss the playoffs to a team that could make it to their third straight World Series.

But this is a good deal for the Houston Astros, too. Being 17 games under .500, it’s obvious that they need to move on without Oswalt’s $16 million contract.

They were able to add J.A. Happ and two minor leaguers that can help them rebuild during the offseason.

While the immediate results may not prove it, over the long run this deal can help both teams out equally. The Phillies have a great chance of getting in the playoffs, and are  talented enough to win a seven game series with Halladay, Hamels, and Oswalt at the top of their rotation.

As for the Astros, the rebuilding process has now started. The question is, how long will Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee be in Houston?

Only time will tell.

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At the end of the season, legend Bobby Cox will finally retire and hand the Braves over to another manager. The Braves would love to send him off with another World Series Title.

Last night in the All-Star game, Braves catcher Brian McCann could have helped them in a very crucial way.

As we all know, the game decides home field advantage in the World Series, and that’s what it is: an advantage.

After driving in three runs on a double, not only did he become the first person in All-Star Game history to bring in three runs on a non home run, but he also locked the home field for the National League.

That National League team in the World Series could be the Braves.

Heading into the second half of the season, the Braves are four games ahead of the New York Mets for lead of their division and have their eyes set on a World Series.

The team that won so many division titles in a row has struggled to get deep into the playoffs recently, but have high hopes for this October.

However, it won’t be easy.

With the Phillies and the Mets, both very talented teams, it’s going to be a tough ride to even get to October. If they plan to do so, Jason Heyward needs to come back from his injury and return to the great hitter that he was in the beginning of the season.

Heyward is a key player for the Braves as they plan to make a title run.

As for pitching, Atlanta is led by Tim Hudson and Derek Lowe, who both have nine wins this season.

The Braves do have the core of a team to make it all the way, and with McCann’s double last night, the seventh game would be in Atlanta.

A World Championship to cap off a legendary career by Bobby Cox. Sounds good to me.

Originally Written By Collin O’Connor on ( www.sportshaze.com )

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