Fast-forward to the present and the Phillies entered last night 61/2 games in front of second-place Florida after mathematically eliminating the Mets by taking three of four from them over the weekend.

So the Phils, obviously, appear to be in a much more comfortable position as they ready themselves to defend their World Series championship.

Yet, it sure doesn't feel that way. And the reason is obvious. There is so much uncertainty about the bullpen, especially the back end of it, that in his heart of hearts, Manuel is probably glad the playoffs don't begin tomorrow. He couldn't honestly say, "Everything is upbeat." With the current bullpen issues, this is not yet a team ready to roll into October.

By mid-September of '08, the Phillies bullpen was humming along. Brad Lidge was a dominant closer. He was "Lights Out" Lidge. Ryan Madson was pitching brilliantly as the setup man. He was "The Bridge to Lidge." J.C. Romero, Clay Condrey, Chad Durbin and Scott Eyre - two lefthanders and two righthanders - were effectively playing their roles as long or situational relievers. When Manuel waved in a reliever, you could close your eyes and know who it would be.

But for various reasons, mostly injuries, the bullpen as now constituted has little resemblance to last year's.

The main difference is Lidge, whose season-long difficulties have been well-chronicled. Including the playoffs, Lidge successfully converted all 48 save opportunities in '08. This season, he has blown 10 saves and is no longer Manuel's go-to closer. On two occasions last week, Lidge characterized his season as "crappy" and "very bad." His problems reverberate through the rest of the bullpen, and time is running out as he continues to seek ways to get "locked in."

As Lidge struggles, Manuel has turned to Madson as a closer. He has been in five of the last six save situations. The results have been mixed. Madson has blown six saves this season, and Manuel has expressed concern the lanky righthander is fatigued.

At this time last season, the Phillies were 79-0 when leading after the eighth inning. As of now, they are 69-9. The Phillies blew 15 saves all last season. They've squandered 21 with 20 games remaining.

Meanwhile, Durbin is the only healthy pitcher among the four other relievers who had significant roles last season.

Condrey has pitched three innings since June 18 because of two stints on the disabled list with a left oblique strain. He pitched the seventh inning (giving up one run) in a minor-league rehab assignment for single-A Lakewood last night and could be activated this week.

It seems like Romero's season has yet to get started. The lefthander, who had several key strikeouts last year, sat out the first 50 games on suspension after he tested positive for a banned substance. He hasn't pitched since July 19 because of tendinitis in his left forearm and is hoping a cortisone shot will help him get back on the mound sometime soon. Romero has thrown only 152/3 innings all season.

Eyre recently had a cortisone shot that he hopes will alleviate the pain in his left elbow. He last pitched on Labor Day.

To be fair, the Phillies have options in the bullpen. Brett Myers has shown progress since returning early this month from hip surgery. He has the stuff and demeanor to be a solid closer, as he was two years ago, but will stamina be an issue for a pitcher who missed three months?

Righthander Tyler Walker has improved his standing with 14 consecutive scoreless innings. Chan Ho Park and Jamie Moyer have proved capable of giving the club some quality innings. And there are other possible scenarios involving Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ, or Pedro Martinez, depending on which four pitchers the Phillies choose for their postseason rotation.

Manuel last week dismissed the notion that a bullpen with relievers who have clearly defined roles is vital.

"It's always good for a guy to kind of know what his role is," he said. "The public likes it. You guys [the media] like it. Me, I don't like it. I think if I'm the manager, I ought to be able to put you in the damn game when I want to, if you want to know the truth.

"And when you think about it, roles change. You might have a guy you want in the sixth who has thrown and you can't use him, things like that. But for some reason, they like it when you find a role for them. To a certain degree it's good, but it's also hard to stick to."

Nonetheless, the Phillies have little more than two weeks left to get their bullpen in order, or the queasy feeling will persist into October.

Note. The Phillies optioned righthander Andrew Carpenter to Lakewood, which remains in the playoffs.

Contact staff writer Ray Parrillo at 215-854-2743 or rparrillo@phillynews.com.