Seven and two. Those are two numbers that are good news to any fan of the Phillies. The Fightins have amassed even straight wins and two consecutive sweeps after a 4-game sweep over the Brewers and a 3-game sweep over the Braves.
And, 7-2 over their final games, is what the Phillies will have to do to ensure they make the playoffs in my opinion.
Since they lost to the Marlins over a week ago, the National League playoff race has turned inside out. The Brewers have collapsed and fired their manager after a debacle against the Phillies. And, the Mets have relinquished their once seemingly insurmountable lead to the Phillies.
As I wrote yesterday, Pat Burrell was headed down the tubes. His once .300 average from early in the season had plummeted to below .250 when he was 0-2 at the plate last night. Then, he hit a homer to seal the win. It looks like this team is starting to capture the magic from last season. And, I was wrong because I really had this team dead in the water. And, I'll man up and say when I'm wrong on something unlike some people I know or hear in the media.
However, they still need to win 7 of 9 games. That will ensure they get into the playoffs. The Mets are still keeping pace with them and just a 1/2 game back. And, the Brewers are two games behind the Phils in the loss column. That means in order to clinch the Wild Card, they'll need to go 7-2 and if the Brewers also go 7-2 and tie the Phils then they'll duke it out in a one game playoff. And, with the way the Brew Crew has gone down the tubes, I wouldn't even bet on them winning that many in their final 9 games. The Brewers are just 4-13 in the month of September-playing easily the worst baseball of any team in the National League and perhaps the majors.
The Phils will play a very tough series starting tonight against the Marlins and it's in Florida against a pitcher they've had little success against in Josh Johnson. I think they'll lose two out of three in this series and I'm sure I'm not the only one. However, I'll go out on a limb and say they'll win their final six games and get that 7-2.
I could be wrong though; after all I counted this team out a week ago and they've proven me wrong.
Brett Myers, the second half Cy Young winner and arguably the MVP of this squad is going tonight so I'm expecting a win. He takes the hill tonight against Johnson at 7:10.
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