Sep 14 2008
Phillies sweep four-game series from Brewers; Tie for Wild Card lead
With 12 games to go in the 2008 season, the Phillies are now in a position to control their own destiny. After completing a four-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers, who still have six games left with the NL-best Cubs, the Phightins are tied atop the Wild Card standings with the Brew Crew and trail the NL East-leading Mets by a mere game. After Friday’s game was rained out and a double-header was scheduled for Sunday, the Phillies chances of a sweep were greatly diminished since it is extremely difficult to sweep a double-header (see: September 7, 2008). However, the Phillies persevered and are now in a great position to return to the playoffs.
The past two days and three games have belonged to the starting pitchers, Ryan Howard, and Jimmy Rollins. The starting pitchers for the final three games (i.e. Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, and Brett Myers) combined to pitch 22.1 innings and allowed 6 runs. Cole Hamels didn’t have his best stuff in game two, but got run support a lot of run support, which was a nice change of pace. Joe Blanton struggled in the first, but settled down on his way to a ND and Phillies put together a four-run eighth after to steal a late win. Then Brett Myers continued to be the best starting pitcher in baseball for the seventh consecutive week. Just check his numbers: 1.56 ERA in his last 10 starts; 5 of those starts he allowed 0 earned runs. The man has been absolutely filthy on the mound. His stuff has been so dirty that it’s practically pornographic. His performance since being recalled from the minors is one of the primary reasons that the Phillies are still in contention. Hopefully he can keep this up.
Ryan Howard has absolutely been on fire in September. For all of this nonsensical talk about Carlos Delgado being the NL MVP because he’s been so great in September, the RynHo not only has out-produced him this month, but also on the season. Let’s compare their September stats: Delgado is hitting .381 with 5 HR, 11 RBI, and 10 R; Howard is hitting .354 with 7 HR, 19 RBI, and 14 R. On the season, Delgado is hitting .267 with 35 HR, 104 RBI, and 85 R, while Howard is hitting .244 with 44 HR, 133 RBI, and 91 R. Although Delgado has a higher average, his production is not even close to Howard’s. How can Delgado be an MVP when he’s not even the best player at his position in the NL East? Basically, all Mets fans can take their “Delgado for MVP” talk and shove it. Delgado should try leading all of baseball in home runs and runs batted in first before Mets fans start getting all hot and bothered over him. (Note: I do not think that Howard should be the NL MVP unless he carries the Phillies to the NL East title over the next two weeks. In the event that the Phillies miss the playoffs, I believe that Albert Pujols should be the NL MVP.)
Finally, it looks like Jimmy Rollins has returned from his five-month vacation known as the 2008 Major League Baseball season (April-August). MVP-Roll has once again turned it on in September (.358 with 2 HR, 9 RBI, 10 R, 4 SB) and he will be crucial to the team’s success in the final 12 games. If he plays well, the team has a great chance to earn a playoff spot. If he struggles, the Phillies are doomed. He’s the engine to the Phillies’ car. Obviously, you can’t get anywhere if your engine isn’t working properly. With only divisional games remaining (3 @ Atlanta, 3 @ Florida, 3 v. Atlanta, 3 v. Washington), Rollins is going to need to be in top form for the Phillies to make it into October. I’m thinking that Jimmy is up to the task.
However, if the Phillies have proven anything this season, it is that they are consistently inconsistent. I really have no idea what to expect from them on a game-by-game basis, let alone series-to-series. They could come out swinging in Atlanta or they could fall flat. You never really know with this team. The only thing that is certain is that the Phillies are tied with Milwaukee for the Wild Card, are 1 game behind the Mets in the NL East, and will play any potential tie-breaking games at Citizens Bank Park. Hopefully the Phillies have saved their best for last.
