Burrell was such a question, though, that Manuel drew up two lineups in case he couldn't play. Burrell arrived by 8 a.m. to receive treatment from trainer Scott Sheridan, and Manuel admitted that his presence in the lineup as a right-handed slugger was more important Thursday against LHP CC Sabathia than it was Wednesday against RHP Yovani Gallardo. But when Burrell gave the thumbs-up, Manuel didn't hesitate to chuck the alternate lineup.

"Like anything else, you have a little flareup, you've got to stay on it and keep after it so it doesn't stay a problem," Burrell said. "That's something I've had to deal with before. I'm fine."

If Burrell had been unable to play, Manuel was planning to use Matt Stairs in right field and move Jayson Werth to left.

--SS Jimmy Rollins and Brewers LHP CC Sabathia grew up together in the San Francisco Bay Area, and while Rollins is eager to face the Brewers ace, he isn't worried about getting shut down. Sabathia, a free agent after the season, has silenced most opposing offenses, going 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA in 17 starts since being traded to the Brewers in July. "He isn't unbeatable by any means," Rollins said. "Hopefully we can knock him out so I can get him to come over here and pitch for us next year."

--RHP Adam Eaton was banished to the minors in July and didn't pitch after returning to the Phillies in September. So, nobody expected Eaton to make the playoff roster. But why, exactly, is Eaton, who made $7,635,000 this season and is due $8.5 million next year, watching the playoffs from home when other non-roster players are with the team (RHP Rudy Seanez) or staying sharp in Clearwater, Fla., by playing in the Florida Instructional League (RHP Kyle Kendrick, OF Greg Golson)?

"In talking to our staff and coaches, we decided Adam can't help us in the playoffs," assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "Kyle can help us, so he went to Clearwater. We just don't feel that Adam could help us."

--RHP Rudy Seanez was edged out of the Phillies' playoff roster. The Phillies opted to keep LHP J.A. Happ because of his ability to pitch multiple innings. Seanez, 39 years old and a veteran of six career playoff series, may be added to the roster if the Phillies reach the NL Championship Series. "That was the toughest decision we had to make," manager Charlie Manuel said. "(Seanez) definitely played a big part in our season, especially early on and all the way up through about July, and then he hit a little down period. He did a tremendous job for us."

BY THE NUMBERS: 9 -- Strikeouts by Cole Hamels, the most by a Phillies pitcher in a playoff game since Curt Schilling had 10 in Game 1 of the 1993 NL Championship Series.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think maybe he read too much into me saying that it wouldn't be the Philly way if things weren't difficult. I don't think he got the memo when I said, 'I take that back.' It's OK to go 1-2-3. But really, I don't care how he gets it done, as long as he keeps getting it done." -- SS Jimmy Rollins, after another adventurous save by RHP Brad Lidge.