Paul Hagen: Phillies' magic number: Four games to get Rollins ready for playoffs

WASHINGTON - At first glance, it was business as usual. The players filtered into the clubhouse, chatting with one another, wandering in and out of the off-limits areas that connect to the main room. They dressed and stretched and took batting practice. Just like any other day.

Except, of course, that it wasn't. One clue was the scented candle - Autumn Wreath - on the table that helped disguise any lingering odors of champagne and cigar smoke from the celebration that occurred in that space the night before. Another was the Phillies' lineup, a batting order that included the names of several guys who haven't gotten much playing time lately as manager Charlie Manuel went to the whip in an attempt to wrap up a fourth straight National League East title as quickly and efficiently as possible.

There's got to be a morning after. And when that moment arrived yesterday, it meant that such guys as Ben Francisco, Domonic Brown, Greg Dobbs, Brian Schneider and Jimmy Rollins got a chance to show what they could do.

Sounds funny to include J-Roll on that list, doesn't it? But while we can talk all we want about how meaningless the remaining games are now that the Phils have clinched homefield advantage throughout the postseason, there are still things they'd like to accomplish.

And right at the top of that list is trying to put Rollins in the best possible position to contribute when the stage gets a little bigger, the spotlight gets a little brighter and the stakes get a lot, lot higher.

Last night he played five innings of what turned out to be a 2-1 loss at Nationals Park on a walkoff homer by Adam Dunn. Afterward, he pronounced himself satisfied with his progress.

"I won't be 100 percent when the playoffs start," he said. "I won't be 100 percent until next February, probably. But I think I'm better and that I can play at this speed. That's what's most important."

He said he probably won't leg out infield hits, unless the game is on the line. He said he probably won't steal bases unless it's an absolute necessity.

After singling up the middle in the fifth, he peeled off rather than go in hard and try to break up the doubleplay when Raul Ibanez followed with a grounder to third. Part of the reason was that he probably wasn't close enough to influence the relay, which Ibanez beat anyway. And part was an acknowledgment that the last thing he wants to do is aggravate an injury or hurt himself all over again.

"In a playoff game I'd definitely put more effort into it," he said. "But [in that situation] I wasn't going to take any crazy chances and test it at that moment."

He also originally was charged with a throwing error during a rundown play that led to an unearned run in the first; the official scorer later changed his call and gave the error to third baseman Dobbs.

Manuel said Rollins will probably play part of tonight's game in Washington. "And when we get to Atlanta [for the weekend] I'll turn him loose," he said.

This has been a trying year for the best shortstop in franchise history. He made three separate trips to the disabled list. He has missed 74 games as a result. He is batting .245, almost 30 points below his career average.

That doesn't mean there's any chance he'll be on the bench when the Phillies open the National League Division Series next Wednesday at The Bank, though. As long as he's healthy, he'll be in there.

"He's still Jimmy Rollins," Manuel said. "I know how good he can play. At the same time, I want to get him as sharp as he can be. I want to get him some at-bats. I want to see him get some pitches, especially changeups and breaking balls."

The manager won't guarantee that Rollins will lead off, but clearly understands this: Rollins is a rise-to-the-occasion guy. His presence energizes a team. And while it's true that the Phillies have been winning in his absence, it's also true that they've scored three or fewer runs in five of the last seven games when he didn't start. He can still make things happen.

So, yes, let's hear it for Wilson Valdez. He did an admirable job filling in while the starter was sidelined, first with a calf strain, most recently with a tight hamstring. But let's also be honest here. Valdez is a journeyman who's passed through 10 organizations and has precisely three (3) fewer All-Star appearances and one (1) fewer Most Valuable Player Award than Rollins. Which is to say, he doesn't have any.

Rollins wasn't really challenged in the field last night. Manuel will be watching closely, keeping his fingers crossed, knowing what a boost it would be if he can play anywhere near the level he's capable of.

Asked whether he's confident he can deliver, Rollins shrugged. "Confident as I always am. That doesn't change," he said.

Four games left. Meaningless games for most. Not for Jimmy Rollins.

Send e-mail to hagenp@phillynews.com.