PHINALLY

It only took 152 games, but our Phightins have finally clawed their way into a tie for the Wild Card lead after last night’s methodical 6-2 win over the Cubbies coupled with our in state rivals second straight defeat of the Dodgers.

With only ten games left, the Phils pretty much control their own destiny. (When was the last time we could say that, huh?) That means every starting pitcher has 2 chances to put his stamp on the fate of this squad. It also means that Myers pitches the last game of the year. The way he is going right now, that is a very good thing. It also looks like Chase is starting to get out of his slump a little bit and even Pat Burrell is chipping in the past week.

Since I don’t see the Dodgers retaking the Padres in the NL West, as the Pads have a game in hand and likely an easier schedule as you will see explained below, we need to focus on the boys from Tinsel Town to see how much of a possibility the postseason is for the Phils.

Here are the Phils’ last ten games and our projected starters:

Fri 9/22 FLORIDA Hamels

Sat 9/23 FLORIDA Wolfie

Sun 9/24 FLORIDA Lieber

Mon 9/25 HOUSTON Moyer

Tues 9/26 at Washington Myers

Wed 9/27 at Washington Hamels

Thurs 9/28 at Washington Wolfie

Fri 9/29 at Florida Lieber

Sat 9/30 at Florida Moyer

Sun 10/1 at Florida Myers

The way the starting staff is pitching right now and the fact that Howard has absolutely owned the Marlins, I really believe the Phils can stay mildly hot and go 6-4 (7-3 is an optimistic view) over their last ten and give us a final record of 85-77. Plus, the Phils have had much more success on the road this year and 6 out of their last ten are away from Citizen’s Bank Park.

Here is the Dodgers’ schedule for the rest of the year:

Thurs 9/21 PITTSBURGH

Fri 9/22 ARIZONA

Sat 9/23 ARIZONA

Sun 9/24 ARIZONA

Tues 9/26 at Colorado

Wed 9/27 at Colorado

Thurs 9/28 at Colorado

Fri 9/29 at San Francisco

Sat 9/30 at San Francisco

Sun 10/1 at San Francisco

I figure the Dodgers win today and then take at 2 out of 3 from the Diamond Backs at home. That brings us to their last six. In order for the Phils to win the Wild Card, we need the Dodgers to go 2 and 4 in those last six. I think it is doable. I know the Giants love nothing more than playing the spoiler role against the Dodgers. Plus, as we all know, anything can happen in Coors Field and their bullpen will likely be shot to hell by the end of that series. Call me crazy, but I like the Phils chances of holding off the Dodgers for the last NL postseason spot. I really do.

I don’t know about you guys, but I just want the thrill of watching the Phils in playoff baseball again. I’ve spent the last couple of falls living vicariously through the Red Sox’s postseason runs as the passion and fatalistic expectations of their fans reminds me of our relationship with the Birds. As fun as it was to finally see them overtake the Evil Empire and win a championship, it is not in the same ball park of what it would feel like to watch our Phils in the postseason again. The last time we had the privilege was 13 freakin’ years ago!!! That’s way too long for a fan base like ours.

Plus, as we’ve seen last couple years, all you have to do is get into the postseason tournament. Anything can happen after that. Just get their, guys…That’s all I ask.