Last year, the Phillies had to wait until Game 161 to clinch their second straight NL East title. The following afternoon, they fielded a largely AAA squad and gave their entire starting 8 a rest.

Despite wrapping up the East earlier this year, the Phillies are littered with question marks and concerns. Consider:

1. By the time you read this, it sounds like the Phils will have announced that JC Romero is done for the year. In his post-game press conference tonight, Charlie all but came out and said that JC was done for the year.

2. Jamie Moyer is done for the year. Was Jamie a stone cold lock for a postseason spot? No, but he had to be in consideration, especially considering Romero’s situation, Scott Eyre’s recent elbow problems, as well as the possibility that J.A. Happ may need to be in the rotation. Moyer provided reliable long relief and spot starts for the Fightins down the stretch. After his demotion in August, Moyer went 2-1 with a 3.26 ERA.

3. Chase Utley – Since Sept. 1, Chase has been less than productive, posting a .204 BA, with 2 HR and 9 RBI. In the WHOLE month. Chase needs to get untracked and fast. Hopefully a few days of rest will do Chase a world of good.

4. Cliff Lee – it’s well-documented. Our prized trade deadline pickup has fallen back down to earth in epic fashion. After dominating in his first 5 starts, he’s been downright bad in enough starts to prompt legitimate concern as to whether or not the Phillies really do have a tow-headed monster at the top of their postseason rotation. Tonight’s results were better, but Lee is hardly dealing the way we’d like him to. I’ll go on record as saying that Cole Hamels should get the Game 1 start. He is a proven playoff performer, whereas Cliff Lee’s next postseason start will also be his first ever.

5. The 9th – Charlie Manuel is nothing if not intensely loyal. It’s rare to see anyone stick their neck out as much as Manuel has to support struggling closer Brad Lidge. Lidge seemed to be jettisoned from the role for good after his last blown save in Florida on September 23. But after last night’s ultra-classy move to bring Lidge in to get the last out of their East clinching game, you have to wonder what Charlie is going to do. Ryan Madson has looked better in the ninth (3 for 3 in save opportunities with 3 holds as well) since he grooved one to David Wright on September 12 and coughed up a Phils win. Can Madson find the fire to make the 9th inning stable again? If so, who the heck gets the ball in the 8th? Myers? Is he ready? Or will Myers close and Madson stay in the 8th? Or will Charlie turn every Phillies fans’ stomachs by allowing Brad Lidge to start the playoffs as the closer.

6. Pedro or Happ? – who will get the 4th starter’s spot in the postseason rotation? Happ is probably the more reliable choice, given Pedro’s struggles with neck stiffness and escalating pitch counts. But Pedro is NOT right for the bullpen. He needs time to warm up, as evidenced by his troubles in the first inning of several of his starts.

I didn’t even touch on the bench. Will Charlie burn a spot with Eric Bruntlett?

Luckily, most of the 2009 playoff teams have their fair share of problems as well. And with an 11-7 record against the other National League playoff teams, there’s no reason to believe that the Phillies cannot overcome their issues to find their way back to World Series glory.