D-RAILED

Well, that was Micco-sucky. I am of course referring a) to the ubiquitous signs for the Miccosukee Casino ringing Dolphins Stadium, and b) yesterday's game. I've never even heard of the Miccosukee tribe. I guess they were patrolling South Beach before leggy European models with an aversion to bikini tops and fey Cuban hairdressers with an aversion to restraint took over.

In any event, the Phillies and Marlins played a day game, much to my surprise, on a Wednesday of all days. I missed the whole thing, which was fine, since it didn't go well for the guys in red and gray. Dontrelle Willis upped his consecutive scoreless streak to 18 innings to start the season, recording his second complete game shutout of the year in two tries. If the Marlins keep this up, their pitching stats will start looking like the '68 Tigers and Cardinals. I half expect Denny McClain to start (and finish, naturally) the back end of a doubleheader.

Yesterday's 4-0 result in Florida, combined with Washington's 11-4 drubbing of Atlanta leaves the Marlins, Nationals, and Braves in first, with the Phillies one game back. Baseball Prospectus, my favorite baseball web site, lists the Marlins as the best team in baseball, and I can't disagree. Four complete games in nine outings? That's unheard of, and completely unsustainable, but it shows what they are capable of. I saw John Marzano on Daily News Live on Comcast Sportsnet yesterday afternoon, and he said the Phillies shouldn't worry, because number one and number two starters will pitch like this many times throughout the season. I have news for you, John: Dontrelle is the Marlins #3 starter. And they are in our division, so we get them 16 more times. I would worry.

The Phillies are (checking ESPN.com) off today, heading back home for a (checking ESPN.com again) seven game homestand against Atlanta, the Mets, and the possibly historically bad Rockies. Hey, this Internet thing really comes in handy sometimes, for looking up, like, facts and stuff. I'll have to enlighten readers on the mysterious intricacies of Phillies ownership tomorrow.