Best record is kind of a big deal
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Best record is kind of a big deal
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Phillies' magic number stands at four as the Mets come to Citizens Bank Park and the Braves travel down I-95 for a weekend series against the Nationals.
So yes, the division could be clinched as soon as Saturday. But remember: The Phillies are throwing Joe Blanton and Kyle Kendrick the next two days and Atlanta has Tim Hudson and Derek Lowe going in Washington.
Sooner or later, the team's attention will shift from the division to the best record in the National League. But that shouldn't last very long.
Much will be made about the debate to rest the regulars or go for the best record in the league. Here's the thing: The Phillies have a six-game lead in the division. They also have a six-game lead for best record in the NL.
So this whole debate could be moot. If the Phillies take care of business in a relatively brisk manner, they could be facing three or four completely meaningless games. That will allow for rest for some regulars, specifically Placido Polanco, who told The Inquirer earlier in the week he would like to have one more cortisone injection in his left arm before the postseason begins. For that to happen, he needs a few days off.
Make no mistake about it, having the best record in the league is fairly important this season. That's because the top dog in the NL will have the choice of one extra day off during the Division Series. For the Phillies, that's the difference between being able to use just the Big Three in the first round and not.
Let's just assume, for these purposes, that Roy Halladay starts Game 1 of the NLDS. If the Phillies lock up everything with time to spare, they can line up their pitchers however they'd like, all receiving enough rest heading into the postseason.
NLDS WITH BEST RECORD
Oct. 6 -- Halladay
Oct. 8 -- Hamels
Oct. 10 -- Oswalt
Oct. 11 -- Halladay (4 days' rest)
Oct. 13 -- Hamels (4)
NLDS WITHOUT BEST RECORD
Oct. 7 -- Halladay
Oct. 8 -- Hamels
Oct. 10 -- Oswalt
Oct. 11 -- Halladay (3)
Oct. 13 -- Hamels (4)
Four days' rest, of course, is regular rest. So if the Phillies don't have the best record in the league, they would have to start whomever pitches Game 1 on short rest for Game 4 -- or use Joe Blanton.
So while it's likely the Phillies won't have to worry about balancing the desire for rest and the top record in the National League, it's something to keep an eye on.
Thanks Gelb for being about 3 weeks late with this.— rpoyser001- @rpoyser001...the problem with this appearing three weeks ago is that most of the fair-weathered fans who post on this board did not believe in this team until three days ago. Most were saying "lets play for next year" and still sulking over Cliff Lee. The slim few who expected to be here don't need to read the article to know the Phillies are the best team in the league. it was true in April, at the all-star break, in August, and will be true once again in October...— Eilex826
- And....3 weeks ago the Reds and Padres were running away with the best record in the N.L. The Phils were 6 games back. Why talk about best record in the N.L when winning the division was still in doubt?— scootch
- As the playoffs near, instead of having a dozen boring, generic names for our 3 top pitchers (Three-headed monster, the Big Three, etc.), let's start calling them something quick and original: Cole Hallawalt! (including the exclamation point). And if someone has to ask, they're not a true Phillies fan!— Boogie
- Boogie, that's as dumb as Royroycole, Cole Hallawalt, Walt Hamelhall, Oswalt Hallaham, Eloc Yoryor, and Winkin' Blinkin' & Nod.....jeez.....hasn't someone already come up with something really clever like, H20 ?— Mark1npt
H2O works for me.- boogie-that is truly trifling ! h2o is the answer.— Ms.Slew
- @Eilex826 Gelb basically recycled a Todd Zolecki blog post that came out of a conversation that Jayson Stark had with Missanelli— rpoyser001
- @Eilex826...all of fan didn't give up on the team they were just looking realistically. at the time when they were 7 games out was the low point for the team. Up to that time we keep watching the team strike out and Howard get out on a down and away at every at bat. The team had being that way most of the season(not winning games). so we assumed that would carry all the way to the end of the season and with the red hot braves we know our season was extremely likely over.
Remember we don't have foresight so we could see a 6 game lead in September and when you see us keep losing(especially against the Pirates of all teams), it that hard to believe we could turn it around— pizzacheeks 
Comment removed.- Werth said the other night they were still interested in winning 100 games. A tall order with 9 to go, but don't expect these guys to take their foot off the gas.
And personally I never doubted for a second that they would climb back to number one once they got healthy. They've been doing this for four years now. This is what they do. We are witnessing a bona fide dynasty here.— Jangocat - The Phils are not blowing a 6 game lead for the best record. It's that simple.— davekrieg
- Even when the Phillies were 7 games behind we still had 6 left against the Braves...we still had H2, and we had just gotten O. All three were pitching remarkable. When we were still 7 games behind, we were just getting our line-up back...given all that, AND the fact that the Phillies are one of the hottest teams in september...why would you give up? And how is giving up realistic? So every time they don't dominate they aren't worth having faith in? This team is trying for it's 3rd NL pennant now...if you give up before it's over you definitely are a band wagon fan....especially...ESPECIALLY when the team ain't even healthy yet...— MFPhils
- I admit, H2O is a much more clever name than Cole Hallawalt. I just wanted Philly to not be generic for once, and I hadn't seen that yet. But MarkInept, it was still not as bad as those other names you lumped it in with. It has a real first name, beginning of a real second name, and a real end of a second name. And it was in order of tenure with the team. There was no reason to be a putz about it.— Boogie
- Why would they have to blow a 6 game lead for the best record? Not sure if I am reading you correctly...but seeing as how we are 6 games up on both...as long we win 4 more, than it's not possible to get beaten for that record, right? Unless a team has more games left than us...Either way we should only need to go 5 or 6 max out of the next 9. As for the best record in MLB...we are a half game behind the twins...we currently got the 2nd best record in baseball...we could very well end up with that title as well.— MFPhils
