The Stars are Aligning

Is there a higher power at work to get the Phillies into the playoffs this year? Or, is this higher power setting up Phillies fans for a tragic ending?


The Storm
After being swept at home by the Wild Card leading Astros September 5-7, dropping out of the Wild Card lead and embarking on the toughest stretch of games of the season, the Phillies looked like they might be in some real trouble.

With the season on the line, the Phillies rose to the task and took 4 of 6 games from both the Marlins and the Braves. One of those games was a miraculous come from behind win in the ninth inning against Dontrelle Willis and the Marlins. That win is even more amazing considering it came against this year's leading Cy Young candidate in the 9th inning of a 3 hit shutout. While it was astounding that the Phillies scored 10 runs in that 9th inning, it is equally astounding given the fact that prior to that game the Phillies had only come from behind after trailing in the 8th inning or later to win 1 game this year. That's right, only a single win the entire year in that situation.

However, the magic continued against the Braves last Wednesday, after Atlanta had come back to tie the game 6-6 and send it to extra innings. In the top of the 10th, Ryan Howard came up and hit his first extra-base hit against a left-handed pitcher. That hit was a grand slam that stole the game from the Braves. The next day, Tim Hudson had a shutout working into the 8th innning. In an inexplicable move, Bobby Cox let Hudson hit in the bottom of the 8th with a runner on 3rd base and only 1 out. The Phillies made it out of the inning without giving up a run. Hudson who was well over the 100 pitch mark (116 I think) and fatigued, came out in the 9th and promptly gave up 4 runs to loose the game. That's the first gift Bobby Cox has ever given the Phillies, even the Braves fans were booing him for that decision.

After all of that, you would think the Phillies had used up all of their magic. And, coming into the 9th inning against the Reds last night with a chance to move a game closer to the Astros, the thrill looked to be gone. The Reds had come back from a 6-1 deficit and taken a 10-6 lead heading into the 9th. Remember, the Phillies have only come back to win twice (after the Marlins) this year in this sort of situation, so things looked bleak. However, that's when the hitting started and the Phillies erupted for a 5 run 9th inning to take the game 11-10.

Twice in one week? Crayziness you say? Certainly. So maybe a higher power is at work here. This sort of stuff never happens to the Phillies, and this late in the season during a playoff run to boot.


Stars Aligning
Looking forward, how do the Phillies chances look now? The often discussed schedule disadvantage the Phillies had on September 9th has now turned into a great advantage today. The Phillies finish up the season at the Reds, home against the Mets and at the struggling Nationals. The Astros finish up the season at a very tough Cubs team, at the Cardinals, and the finale at home against the same tough Cubs team. The Cubs will be the Phillies fan's second favorite team the rest of the way.

Aligned star one...facing the Cubs is significant because Greg Maddux is trying to win 15 games for the 18th straight year, already a major league record. He currently has 13 wins, and the Cubs are giving him 2 more starts, the first against Pittsburgh, and if he wins that game, the second start would be the season finale against the Astros. Maddux is very determined to win right now and has a 2.53 ERA and 3 wins in his 5 September starts.

Star two...Roger Clemens is also hurting and his next start is uncertain. He was supposed to oppose Carlos Zambrano and the Cubs today, but is bothered by a strained hamstring, forcing the Astros to start Ezequiel Astacio. Astacio, the former Phillies farm hand that was traded as part of the deal for Billy Wagner, could help the Phillies after all by loosing today to the Cubs. Of course, as I write this, the Cubs have given up 2 runs in the top of the first, that's alright though, the stars are aligned in the Phillies favor, and not the star of the Astros (we hope).

Star three...if the Phillies should end up the season tied with the Astros, there would be a one game playoff in Philadelphia. That's significant since the Phillies would be making a short trip back from Washington while the Astros would have to make a long trip in from Houston. Not to mention the home field advantage.

Star four...the Phillis head home to play the Mets after the Reds series. As reported by NY Newsday, the Mets are considering shutting Pedro Martinez down for the remainder of the season, rather than lead off the series against the Phillies.

Star five...the Nationals have gone to a 4 man rotation, meaning that Livan Hernandez's last start of the year should be in their final game against the Marlins, and he would miss the final series against the Phillies entirely.

All the Phillies need to do is win one more game than the Astros and find themselves with the Wild Card lead. Win 2 more than the Astros and the Phillies can avoid a one game playoff. The stars are indeed aligned, and this season is squarely in the Phillies hands. It should be a phantastic phinish to the season.


Random Thoughts
Thank the stars for Ryan Howard. This kid should defnitely win the Roookie of the Year Award. His stats are there 20HR / 56RBI / .290 BA, (leading rookies in HR and RBI with only half a season played) but his impact on the team is what should win it for him. Without Howard, the Phillies would be playing for next year right now. Message to Phillies management -- You have to keep Howard around for next year and beyond...Props to Jon Leiber for pitching like an ace this late in the year, and for dominating Atlanta in his career. Leiber's last 8 games against Atlanta 1.83ERA / .229BAA...Ryan Madson is really struggling lately, that Howard grand slam and last night's heroics wouldn't have been necessary if Madson had pitched scoreless innings both those games. Maybe the Phillies should be using Aaron Fultz in Madson's spot right now...David Bell is really making up for his early season misery, a grand slam last week, and a game winning 2 run shot last night. We didn't mean everything we said about you before David. Keep up the good work...JRoll is out of sight right now with a 28 game hitting streak. Hopefully it is finally getting through to Rollins -- Get on base, use your speed, and you will score with the lineup the Phillies have...Abreu continues to impress by playing through multiple injuries and still producing. He is a true gamer and the Phillies are lucky to have him.