It's Not Do or Die, But ...
The Phillies gotta step up this week against the Mets at Shea Stadium, don't you think?
It's Not Do or Die, But ...
Todd Zolecki
It's only Juy 22, so there is time.
We know how quickly things can change in just a matter of weeks. The Mets held a comfortable seven-game lead over the Phillies with just 17 games to play last season, but choked away the National League East in an epic collapse. But the Mets have turned the tables on the Phillies this year. The Phillies had a 7 1/2 game lead over the Mets on June 13, but enter tonight's three-game series against the Mets at Shea Stadium in a first-place tie.
The Phillies were 41-28 (.594) on June 13 for the fourth-best record in baseball. The Mets were 32-34 (.485). But the Mets are 21-12 (.636) since for the third-best record in baseball, while the Phillies are 12-18 (.400) for the sixth-worst record in the Natonal League.
The Phillies helped the Mets get hot by losing three-straight games to them earlier this month in Philly.
Now would be a good time for the Phillies to get their act together.
"I'm excited,'' Joe Blanton said. "Maybe there will be a few butterflies, but once you get settled in, it's about competing."
"I can't think of a better team for me to come back against," Brett Myers said. I don't like them. We're not supposed to like them. Nothing against the guys on the team - they're our rivals. We like beating them; they like beating us.''
Lately, the Phillies haven't beaten much of anybody. They'd like that to change this week at Shea.
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Billy Wagner's shoulder is bothering him. His availability this week remains uncertain.
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Here are the pitching match ups at Shea:
Tonight at 7:10
RHP Joe Blanton (5-12, 4.96 ERA) vs. LHP Johan Santana (8-7, 3.10).
Tomorrow at 7:10 p.m.
RHP Brett Myers (3-9, 5.84) vs. RHP John Maine (8-7, 4.22)
Thursday at 12:10 p.m.
LHP Jamie Moyer (9-6, 3.90) vs. LHP Oliver Perez (6-6, 4.36).
Phillies fans of the blog-it is time for us to unite. John in LA, Norma, Karen Clinton NJ and yes, you too, Truth- tonight, we saw a season-changing win. This is the type of game that turns EVERYTHING around. Let's acknowledge that every one of us was ready to throw out some bitter, angry comments before the ninth inning. When you can win a game, on the road, Cy Young winner starting for the other team and you get key hits from Carlos Ruiz and So Taguchi in CONSECUTIVE AT BATS-this one was a gift from the baseball gods. Tomorrow we can go back to arguing over Ryan Howard's contract, the Blanton deal, Tyler Green v. Don Carman, whatever. Tonight we, as Phils fans, need to unite and celebrate.— KMG- Anyone seen The Wizard? I think he climbed back under his rock after that mess of a 9th inning.— Billy The Kid
- Speaking of Chase......I can't believe he didn't get booed!!! Maybe the Mets fans have a new respect for him, and have adopted him as one of their own. LOL! Of course, I'm sure they were happy he went 0-fer. LOL! He DID make that GREAT diving catch to save extra bases! Could have been a whole different outcome.— Norma
