After getting swept in a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves before the trade deadline, the Phillies waved the white flag on their season. Following that series, the team began a massive fire sale, selling off veterans Shane Victorino, Hunter Pence, and Joe Blanton to restock their farm system, clear some money off of their payroll, and prepare for the 2013 season. The 2012 Phillies were left for dead at 46-57 and 13 games out of the Wild Card.
But after the team was declared dead and buried on July 31, the team hasn’t been able to rest in piece. They’ve surged to a 24-14 record since their July funeral, and have trimmed their Wild Card deficit to just five back of the stumbling St. Louis Cardinals with 21 games left to play. All of the sudden, a team thought to be dead and defeated has a chance to rise from their grave, and baseball has become interesting, if not relevant, in Philadelphia again.
But just how realistic is the idea that the Phillies can catch the Cardinals, Pirates, and Dodgers and somehow slip into the that final Wild Card slot before the season ends? The odds are still against them.
The Phillies need to play nearly perfect baseball from here on in. The margin for error is extremely slim, and any loss is a devastating one right now.
My best advice is to just enjoy the ride.
Considering the atrocious baseball that Phillies fans had to endure for three quarters of the season, it’s a treat to see this group come together and play a fun, enjoyable games. While guys like Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence were frustrating to watch, players like Erik Kratz, Kevin Frandsen, and Kyle Kendrick have helped inject new energy team that has made them competitive once again.
The fact that Phillies are now back in the playoff picture also makes the trial runs of guys like Domonic Brown, Tyler Cloyd, Justin De Fratus, Philippe Aumont, and newcomer Darin Ruf all the more interesting. These young players that have spent most of the year in the minor leagues are now performing in a situation in which a lot is being asked of them. They aren’t just auditioning in meaningless games anymore, they’re being asked to perform key roles in a legitimate run at playoff seed.
Whatever the Phillies can give the city to cheer about right now is completely unexpected treat to have at this point in the year. They’re one of the hottest teams in baseball right now, and whether it turns out to be too little too late or not, at the very least the way they’re playing right now is enough to create some excitement for 2013.
Why not? They are 5 out behind ATL, STL, LAD and Pitt. They could continue to make a big move in the next 9 games with 2 more against FLA, 4 against HOU and 3 against the Mets. Of course the Mets have killed them all year. That 3 game set against the Braves starting the 21st could be very interesting.
The important thing is the “try’ outs” that the young kids are getting which will help plan for next year. Also they are infusing the offense.
Not going to get my hopes up, but I am going to enjoy the ride.
hey all i can say is that if this continues and they finish 1 game short at least they made the run. after an abysmmal first half it is evident that utley, howard and doc made a difference- it is also a fact that they have a run or two in them the next couple of years. sports is very up and down these days. — looks like they are slowly fixing the bullpen
i have tickets on sept 27th and there is a chance it will mean something.–
the bandwagon is closed by the way!
Of course the Phillies can make it in…I mean how many times in the last four years have they snuck up and sucker punched some team that was tearing it up for three quarters of a season already?
Impossible- NO! Improbable- YES! But who knows. Pisses me off even more, with the $#!TTY off-season Amaro had, because we could have been in it, if he did a better job. BTW, HAC, who the F^#@ are you, to tell anyone, who & how to root for their teams? If someone wants to be a band-wagoner, so be it. I’m not, & ain’t getting my hopes dashed again. Even if they do make the playoffs, does it matter, they still suck, still are ancient, still overpaid, & still need to be rebuilt? They are making a last ditch effort, with their final breath, before dying.
i see those anger management classes haven’t been working. you bandwagon fraud. phony– just flat out bandwagon phony. always take the negative first and then if things work out try to get to the front of the parade.
i said in june baseball is a long season, lets get our guys back, fix a few things and make a run. you at that time were doing the *^^)&^%%$_- anger criticizing thing. well they are making a run, it may fall short but it is a run.
and they have two more years at least to make a run. i think the anger may have something to do with your unfullfilled dreams, you may want to mention that to your counselor.
which is what good teams do– armchair qb, wannabee, bandwagon jumper. get counseling for anger.
Dcar and haveacigar the odd couple, the exchanges are priceless
HAC, your post are part of site history. They are there for any and all to read in regards to your level-headed approach to the team. Far different from the few bandwagoners who did nothing but spam the phillies threads with the same negative posts.
That #11 he sure is an overpaid mutt. Oh man they may fall short in the end… But even the biggest assholes on here are going to start watching accept for that one asshole that says “fact they are unwatchable” he won’t watch
havenoclue, I never said I stopped watching. I stated that they were horrid, &
un-watchable. No matter how bad our teams are, I watch, go to games with my family & friends, & still spend my HARD working $$$, for merchandise. As for your prior comments, I’m no bandwagon jumper. I don’t have anger issues, nor do I need a counselor. Unfulfilled dreams?!?!? You know NOTHING about me, douche-bag. I am very happy & content with my life, success, & accomplishments. When it comes down to it, I’m a 4 for 4 guy, & always will be, but if our teams are stinking up the joint, I’m going to speak the truth. I don’t bury my head up the front offices @$$e$, & ignore the facts, just so I can be content with waving pom-poms, like your delusional, blind loyal, moronic @$$. If you want to attack someone personally, at least try to get your facts straight, because you don’t know $#!t, about me, or sports for that matter. Lastly you HAVE NO RIGHT, NOR SAY, on how anyone, can root for, or how they show their fandom, or loyalty. Just because someone has differing thoughts, doesn’t live in the La La, stubborn, ignoramus, delusional world, that you live in, doesn’t make them wrong, nor less of a fan. Personally, I could give a rats @$$, about your thoughts, or opinions about me, because you’re a loser, with a loser mentality, that just likes to be in the thrill of the hunt. I want winners, with legitimate chances at long playoff runs & possible championships. NOT FOOLS GOLD, THAT WILL BREAK OUR HEARTS. No matter what way you spin it, delude it, or pawn off the truth & negativity on me, they have NO shot to win, have no legit position prospects, no salary wiggle room, a bad upcoming FA class, an impatient, ill-advised, overpaying, moron as a GM, & still need to be rebuilt. That’s just the way it is, my man.
I see you’ve calmed a bit. It’s good that the meds are working. So you are now saying they are watchable? And that jimmy is no mutt? Because if that’s a mutt I’ll take a mutt at short any day
Still an overpaid, mutt! Should not have been resigned. Should be traded in the off-season. Where was this play early in the season, when the pressure was on, when his so-called leadership was desperately needed, when Howard & Utley were out. Nowhere to be found, because he was too busy harping on the fans, not running out balls, popping up at an alarming rate, cashing his check with his self entitlement attitude, & doing nothing but sulking. So you can stuff him, along with Amaro, the wannabe Golden boy, up your know nothing Arse!!!!