A New Hope?

Two weeks ago the Phillies struggled to split 4 games with the Reds at home and were embarking on 12 game road trip against all first place teams. While the season had been a struggle to that point, it seemed very likely that this road trip could be the death blow to the teams playoff chances. However, the Fightin's were able to take 2 of 3 from the Cardinals at home, 2 of 3 from the Orioles in Baltimore and the rebellion had begun as they headed out to face their own "Evil Empire", the Marlins. The first 2 games with the Fish didn't go well at all, and after a disastrous finish to the second game, the team was sitting at 7 games out and staring that death blow right in the face like Darth Vader saying to Luke, "who's your daddy!" But, the Phillies used the force (of their bats) and won the next 3 in a row, taking 2 of 3 from the Braves in the process. As luck would have it, the Braves and Marlins have also been struggling on their own and the Phillies head home only 4.5 games out of first in the National League East.

So as the next chapter to the season begins...Will the fans at Citizens Bank Park be warm in welcoming the Phillies home? Maybe. Will Rollins continue his hot hitting at lead-off? Hopefully. (He's on nearly the same track as last year). Will Thome come up with a monster June and carry the team for awhile? Quite likely. (Last year Thome hit 15 homers in the month of June, in 2003 he hit 9, in 2002 he hit 10. June is by far his best power month over the past 3 years, so look for good things coming soon). Will Worrell be released from his imprisonment by Jaba the Hut? No one knows.

While the past 2 weeks was a critical stretch for this team, the next 4 weeks are crucial to deciding the Phillies ultimate fate this year. In this time span, the Phillies play 18 of their 24 games at home, starting with the very beatable Giants, a strong Diamondbacks team, average Texas and Milwaukee teams, then ending up with the Mets and Red Sox (who seem more beatable lately without Schilling). Of the 6 games they play on the road, they get to face a weak Mariners team and a very weak A's team who can't seem to buy a run these days.

Have the Phillies averted a trip to the dark side? Not completely. Is there cause for hope? This is so, it would seem.