Fan talk: The ‘Philly Phour’ — the 2011 Philadelphia Phillies dream team pitching rotation (Associated Content)

It didn't take long to give it a name -- the "Philly Phour," as in, the starting four pitchers in the 2011 pitching rotation for the Philadelphia Phillies. Soon after the Phillies signed Cliff Lee in December, someone stuck that moniker on the foursome, which includes Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, and Cole Hamels. Some have already begun hearing "Flying High Now" (the theme from "Rocky") and believe they could become the best starting rotation in history, while some are suspending judgment until after they've pitched a few...

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Fan trash talk: The 2011 Philadelphia Phillies have the best rotation in MLB history (Associated Content)

There's usually room for argument when debating who has the best rotation in the MLB. Truth is, there's no way of determining this, really, until the end of the season. But if there were ever a year that could have been determined before opening day, it'd be this one. Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels, and Joe Blanton. It's a rotation that if rambled off by some crazed fan maybe three years ago, the fan would be criticized as a man who lives in video game world -- possibly even a man who doesn't know anything about baseball.

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Fan’s take: Why the Baltimore Orioles have the best pitching rotation (Associated Content)

Much has been made of the Baltimore Orioles' woes over the past several seasons, but one area they are a step above the rest is young talent, especially in their starting rotation. Much has been made of the Philadelphia Phillies rotation of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt, and Joe Blanton, but the Orioles are no slouches no the mound. Here's why: Age The Orioles rotation of Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta, Brad Bergesen, and Chris Tillman are much younger than the Phillies rotation.

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Fan’s take: These are the best pitching rotations in MLB history (Associated Content)

The Philadelphia Phillies may have one of the deadliest starting rotations in Major League Baseball in 2011. Roy Hallady, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton may make the Phillies unstoppable this year. How will they rank within some of the greatest pitching rotations of all time? Try these on for size: St. Louis Cardinals, 1934 The St. Louis Cardinals won the 1934 World Series over the Detroit Tigers. As part of the Gashouse Gang, the starting five won 85 games versus only 45 losses.

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Nothing but expectations for Philly’s Fab Four (Yahoo! Sports)

Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee are joined by Joe Blanton to form a dominant staff.

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Oswalt, Rollins help Phillies even NLCS at 1-1 (The Canadian Press)

PHILADELPHIA - Roy Oswalt's daring dash around the bases nearly overshadowed his dominant performance on the mound.

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How can Oswalt top Halladay now? (AP)

Top that. Long before Roy Halladay threw the second no-hitter in postseason history, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels talked about Philadelphia's three aces always trying to outdo each other. Halladay set the bar high with a brilliant performance in the Phillies' 4-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the NL division series on Wednesday.

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Phils, Rays lead wild cards with 40 games to go (AP)

Charlie Manuel scoffed at the notion of second place. So did Phillies stars Jimmy Rollins and Roy Oswalt. Even if it meant a playoff spot. "We don't care about the wild card," Manuel said this week. OK, Charlie. Let the Philadelphia manager focus on overtaking Atlanta in the NL East. And surely the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays are thinking about winning the AL East, rather than...

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Westbrook, Ludwick, Lilly, Wood move, Berkman goes (AP)

Former All-Stars Jake Westbrook, Ted Lilly, Ryan Ludwick and Kerry Wood were traded Saturday as pennant contenders played a game of beat-the-clock. Lance Berkman went to the World Series champion New York Yankees after rejecting the Chicago White Sox. Octavio Dotel, Rick Ankiel, Kyle Farnsworth, Chad Qualls and Ryan Theriot also joined the playoff chase and Ryan Church highlighted a five-player...

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Oswalt agrees to be dealt to the Phillies (Yahoo! Sports)

Top-end starter Roy Oswalt drops his no-trade provision and the Astros get J.A. Happ and prospects in return.

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