Phillies Are Built to Win for Years

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IS THERE any stopping the Philadelphia Phillies?

Armed with a strong rotation led by Cliff Lee and powered by a lethal lineup led by Ryan Howard, they just may be the best team in baseball — again.

If the bullpen continues to performs as well as it has thus far in the playoffs, not even the New York Yankees may have a shot at stopping a repeat.

A scarier thought is this group could put together a run of several more titles.

Not only is age a moot point — most of the Phillies are in their prime — but Philadelphia's front office also seems to make all the right moves.

Last year, it added closer Brad Lidge, who was perfect.

In building toward a second title this year, the team traded for Lee and signed Pedro Martinez. Lee, the 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner, has been better than advertised. The wily Martinez contributed little in the regular season, yet his strong outing in the National League Championship Series made him a gamble that paid off.

Assuming the Yankees finish off the Angels — Thursday's game ended after Express' deadline — there's going to be a great World Series.

Cheer up, Washington fans: By the time the Phillies are too old to win titles, the Nats may finally have a competitive team.

Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images