While most attention focused on who the Phillies' opponent for the World Series* will be, the fact of the matter is, that is something that is out of the Phillies' control. What the Phillies themselves are probably trying to determine is how to best configure their roster and lineups for the games in the American League team's city.
Of all the Phillies bench players, several would be worthy of regular at-bats. Chris Coste and Greg Dobbs come to mind first. Perhaps newly-minted hero Matt Stairs as well, but he is probably best reserved for the all-or-nothing pinch-hitting situation. Coste would face left-handed pitchers, Dobbs right-handers.
In the case of Dobbs, he can play either left-field or first base, and therefore either Pat Burrell or Ryan Hoaward can become the designated-hitter. And, as maligned as Pat Burrell is for his fielding, the fact of the matter is, Ryan Howard is worse. If I were advising Charlie Manuel, perhaps over a glass of Knob Creek, I'd opt for making Howard the DH.
Even if you agree with that strategy of making Howard the DH, you are still probably apprehensive of using Chris Coste at first base given that he is the second string catcher. Again, if I were advising Charlie Manuel and if we were onto our second glass, I might be so bold as to suggest the Phillies drop So Taguchi from the roster and add rising star Lou Marson.
Marson is already traveling with the team, and while he is certainly still wet behind the ears, you can't tell me he would do any worse than Taguchi if he was forced to bat. In terms of fielding, you probably don't want to insert a new and young catcher into a World Series, but the chances of both Carlos Ruiz and Chris Coste both getting injured is small.
To boil it down, by adding Marson, it means that Chris Coste will get more World Series at-bats than So Taguchi. Hard to argue against that, no matter how long you've been sipping on Knob Creek.
* I can't tell you how odd it was to type "Phillies' opponent for the World Series"
