Phils 2 Games Out of First...

Yep. Thanks to a sweep of the once mighty Chicago White Sox at home, the Phillies are now tied with the Braves at 2 games back of the Mets. Beating up on the White Sox helps, but the recent rise in the NL East standings probably has more to do with the Mets and Braves both falling apart and coming back to the middle. Over their last 10 games, the Mets are 1-9, the Braves are 3-7, and the Phillies are 7-3 (imagine if they could have taken that Royals series...).

The Mets have been hampered by some injuries, but so have the Phillies, with Brett Myers and Tom Gordon leaving the bullpen to El Pulpo and the boys and Freddy Garcia's spot in the rotation going to Double-A arm Kyle Kendrick. Surprisingly, the Phillies haven't looked as horrible as you might think, especially against Ozzie Guillen's club to start the week. Of course, the White Sox are the least productive offense in baseball (can you believe that?), but it's good to see that the Phillies didn't fall to the occasion, with Chase Utley and Aaron Rowand taking a torch to Guillen's job security. It's not too early to start the MVP chants, by the way.

Up next are the Detroit Tigers, who come to town for a weekend series starting tomorrow. And yes, the Phils will face Justin Verlander, who notched a no-hitter in his last appearance. Kid is good. Look for him on Sunday against Adam Eaton, who just threw 7 innings of shutout ball and has won 4 of his last 5 starts. Friday we'll see Jon Lieber take on Jeremy Bonderman, and on Saturday Jamie Moyer will face youngin Andrew Miller.

A quick look at the numbers shows the Phillies leading the NL in runs, OBP, and OPS (the best markers of offensive success), and 2nd in slugging and steals. I can't believe it. The Phillies are second in steals? Billy Beane might not think they matter much, but I love to see that spirit on the base paths. Utley is tied for the league lead in RBI, and Cole Hamels has an NL-best 9 wins and the most strikeouts in the majors at 104.

The Mets have to play the white-hot Yankees this weekend, so by the time your ass hits the desk chair on Monday, the Phillies could be in first place. Or third. The Tigers are pretty good too.

Comments

[Juanos]

These next six games are going to be a real test for the Phils to see where they're at as a team. 3 at home against the Tigers and 3 at Cleveland. They're about the only teams who have scored more runs than the Phils.

I kind of freaked out about the KC series too, and then I read that Rollins said, hey, we were 4-2 on the road trip. No matter where you go, 4 out of 6 on the road is pretty damn good.

[bigmyc]

Very nice. So all is rosey in the world of Philadelphia sports, what with the Phils taking names and numbers and McNabb ahead of his rehab schedule; very exciting indeed.

Here's to hoping that the Phillies make the upcoming football season a little easier to wait on.....

[gootman]

Seems like Victorino, Rollins, and Bourne steal successfully at every opportune moment. I can't remember the Phils ever being a good base stealing team. 3 cheers for Davey Lopes.

[hone]

We simply cannot trade Aaron Rowand. Dude is a beast and I can totally see this team falling a part if we do...

[Chamomiles Davis]

This month has been great so far if you're a Phillies fan, but as a famous movie character once said, "Let's not start sucking each other dicks just yet."

Go Yankees! (I can't believe I wrote that.)

[erik]

no need to drink the kool-aid. They go 1-5 in the next six and things are done.

they aren't killers, you go to Kansas City and have a chance to make a stand and lose 2 out of 3, like we all knew they would.. they aren't winners.

Braves get Chipper back, Mets will find there way

But they'll be in the wild card race in the end but fall short

[Texas Gal]

Trading Rowand would be a mistake of epic proportions. Yes, I'm resorting to hyperbole- but he fits the mentality of a great Phillies player, as well as kicking ass defensively.

[larry]

Just saw Justin Germano is now 5-0 with a 2.36 era. I'm really glad we let him go.

[Matt P]

You're killing your father, Larry.

[larry]

what?

[Matt P]

Sorry, reference is probably a bit obscure. Big Lebowski. My bad.

[Sid]

What schoe, i can't hear you?

[bigmyc]

With all due respect to erik, that Royals series melt down was a "trap series" if ever I saw one and the let down had to do with an aging Jamie Moyer needing another once of Geritol and Garcia pitching himself into the DL>....

This team is hot. If they can't bottle what they've found, then Charlie can no longer hide, can he? I seriously doubt that the likes of Howard, Utley, Rowand, JRoll and Cole are losers.....