The Home Stretch
Posted By: J Stump
Posted: 8/26/2008 4:23:46 PM
Last night I posed the question on whether we'd be more comfortable on our teams postseason chances had they gone 2-2 over two series against LA, rather than being swept first and then returning the favor. Honestly, I'm not sure which I'd prefer, though I know I'd rather have swept them after they swept us rather than vice versa. To end on a high note is always a plus as it gives hope for a strong future. However, in the same sense, is it an omen of any sorts that we couldn't win a game on the road but were able to take care of business at home? The point of home field advantage is that you're supposed to be able to win more games, and last night's victory did put the Phillies 10 games over .500 at home, compared to their slim 3 games over .500 on the road. Put in that perspective, the 2-5 West Coast road trip feels even more ominous than it sounds...going into that they were plus 6 on the road, and realistically should've come back plus 7 at the least, since they were heavily favored over the Padres. Of the 31 games left to be played in the regular season, 16 of them are on the road while 15 are at home. They're going to need to finish better than 3 games over .500 on the road at the end to capture the division, especially given the quality of the opponents that are coming up. All of the road games except for four coming up this weekend are against division opponents. It's an even split at 3 games in each of the East cities (Atlanta, NY, Florida, DC). At home, it doesn't get easier, or much more outside of our division with a four game series against the Brew Crew, and 3 games a piece vs. Atlanta, DC and Florida, plus tonight and tomorrow's home stand vs. the hated Mets.
A lot of writers have written about this two game set against the Mets not being a Make-It or Break-It series, and I'd say they're pretty much correct. However, the key to a pennant is dominating your division, and this last month is going to prove whether or not the Phillies are able to do that. By my count, they are currently at 27-22 against their division, simply owning the Braves with a 10-2 record, but struggling against the Mets at 4-9 with no more than 1 win in any series against NY. Considering they're only 12-11 against Washington and Florida, that has to lead to a little bit of trepidation for fans, because they should be able to dominate both of those lesser teams. If the Phils come out and lose these next 2 games, it's true they'd only be 2.5 down with 29 games to go, which is a margin which is certainly attainable, it means they go into Chicago (the team with the best record in MLB right now) without any of the momentum they just gained by sweeping LA, and then have a generally tough, if familiar road ahead of them.
All in all, the month of September should be a very exciting time for baseball fans, and let's hope those attending the games can continue to lend their energy and excitement to the Phillies like they did Sunday night, as the team makes it down the home stretch. It's clear to tell the Fightins are a team that really succeeds when they've got energy and are loose, and a rocking crowd can only help them continue to find that energy. (Plus, maybe we can get back in the heads of the Mets tonight and tomorrow and help them start a slide now)
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