Need Some Get Back

When you wake up near the end of August two and a half games out of first place in your division and tied for the wild card, you feel pretty good about your chances to reach the postseason. But the playoffs are furthest thing from a shoo in. The Phillies were behind in the standings during August and September of 2007 and 2008. Each time, they battled back to win the National League East. Although they were in first place last year every day from May 29 through the end of the season, the Phillies’ current situation is very familiar to them.

The team cannot rely on the comebacks of two and three seasons ago. If the 2010 Phillies reach the playoffs, it will be because they found the wherewithal and perseverance to win games down the stretch. The 2007, 2008, and 2009 division champions could not be put away. Thus far, the current Phillies have shown the same thing. They have yet to display, however, the ability to take advantage of the openings their competitors are providing them.

The Phillies of recent past had a knack for getting the most out of every opportunity down the home stretch of the season. This season’s version will have to get that back. Yesterday showed that they don’t have it yet. In an afternoon game, Braves, the team the Phillies are chasing in the East, blew a 10-1 lead in Colorado. The Rockies won 12-10. At the same time, the Central Division-leading Reds built a 10-1 lead in San Francisco. The Giants began the day tied with the Phillies in the Wild Card standings. After a six-run eighth, the San Francisco took an 11-10 lead into the ninth inning. The Reds pulled off a comeback of their own and won 12-11 in extra inning. The events of the crazy afternoon gave the Phillies an opportunity to pick up a game on each of the teams fighting them for a postseason spot. With ace Roy Halladay headed to the mound to face a horrible team like the Astros, it seemed like a perfect scenario for the Phillies. Nope. The Astros won in Philly for the third consecutive day.

So far, it seems like the 2010 Phillies just don’t have it. But the rest of the National League is letting them hang around. This is the time for them to slay the two time defending league champions. If the Phillies are still in it on September 10, they just might get it back.