23 Reasons You Should Still Care About The Phillies

Embedded in baseball's pre-All-Star break culture is the ideology that the game is "a marathon, not a sprint." The thinking is espoused by almost everyone involved in the sport, from managers and players all the way to announcers. And as far as clichés go, it's not terrible. Baseball teams go through hot and cold streaks at different points of the season, just as distance runners conserve energy during parts of a race. The differing paths taken to the finish are what make a race compelling.

The Phillies' 5-year run of division titles is further evidence that there is more than one way to win. In 2007, the Phillies took the close-like-a-freight-train-and-win-by-a-nose route. In 2011, they simply ran away early. Two different paths, two different win totals, two division championships. This year, the team didn't accomplish enough in the first half to stay within striking distance. But like a runner who's well behind the leaders, the Phillies still have to finish. That is where the analogy ends, though. Unlike a runner who isn't going to make it to the medal stand, the Phillies should still hold your attention for the rest of this race. Here's why:

1. Domonic Brown,

Short-Term:

Brown is far and away the most important reason to watch the Phillies down the stretch. The lanky, lefthanded-hitting outfielder wants to secure a starting outfield spot for next year, one the team wants him to win. So far, so good, as Brown has taken advantage of his playing time. The 24-year-old has shown a solid plate approach and improved defense (outside a recent rough night in Milwaukee). Also, his throwing arm has impressed. Brown's throw to nab Braves catcher Brian McCann at second base in early August is the best-thrown deep ball by a Philadelphia lefty up to this point in the summer.

2. Domonic Brown,

Long-Term:

Of more sentimental importance, Brown represents the best current chance for Phillies fans to watch a homegrown player develop from his early stages as a big-leaguer. There's a different experience that comes with watching Chase Utley crush a go-ahead homer now, having followed his every move from the grand slam he hit at Veterans Stadium in his first major league start. If Brown turns into a big-time player down the road, you may fondly remember him stretching singles into doubles during some meaningless August games this year.

3. Ryan Howard's Health:

The Phillies would benefit greatly if the Big Piece is in one piece to start next season. Howard, a model of durability for most of his career, has acknowledged he might not reach 100 percent health this season. For everyone's sake, one would hope manager Charlie Manuel isn't required to use noted speedster Erik Kratz as a late-inning pinch-runner for Howard come Opening Day 2013.

4. Backup Plan:

Speaking of Kratz, the Phillies will need a backup catcher next year, with Brian Schneider set to become a free agent. The 32-year-old from the Chris Coste School of Hard Knocks has made a strong case for the spot, even if his slugging percentage doesn't make its way back over .800.

5. Roy Halladay

as Roy Halladay:

It's too easy to describe someone nicknamed "Doc" as a surgeon, but Halladay really is that precise when on top of his game. How about that curveball he had against the Cardinals? The Phillies need that Halladay in 2013, as opposed to the one who was hit hard by the Reds.

6. Chase Utley as Chase Utley:

Utley has hit the ball fairly hard since coming back from injury in June, and that's important. His .836 OPS (as of Friday) ranks third in the MLB among second baseman with over 150 plate appearances. More encouraging, Utley has been able to put up those numbers despite being fairly unlucky, sporting only a .250 batting average despite consistently making solid contact.

7. Shedding a Label:

It's safe to say Cliff Lee, the same Cliff Lee who signed a $120 million contract, has been a ways off his usual dominant self this season. Still, it would be nice if he could get in the win column a few more times so some people can stop dwelling on the win-loss record, as if the figure is the only thing indicative of his performance.

8. Dollars and Sense:

When you make a $144 million investment, you tend to want to check and see how that money is being spent. After two straight shutouts, sporting a shiny 2.99 ERA to go with a 14-6 record, and putting together another excellent season, Cole Hamels looks to be worth every penny.

9. Late-Game Heroics:

On the topic of big money, Jonathan Papelbon has only had six save situations since July 20. Since then, the Phillies have won five walk-off games. At least when the team does win, it's exciting to watch.

10. An Empty Bank?

Lest we forget, there was a time when the Phillies would play September home games in front of 15,000 people instead of 40,000. With that new-car smell of Citizens Bank Park having worn off, the attendance will be something to keep an eye on as September rolls around.

11. Final Record?

A team with very high expectations stumbles mightily out of the gate before finishing strong when there's no pressure to make it to .500. Stop me if you've heard this one before.

12. Antonio Bastardo,

International Man of Mystery:

Up until September of last season, Bastardo's stuff was electric. Since then, not so much, as his ERA has climbed to an insanely high 5.45 in 2012. Will Bastardo force the Phillies to look elsewhere, or will he start to bounce back?

13. Relief, Please:

Ranking 26th in the league in ERA, the bullpen is full of unproven guys pitching for a spot in 2013. It has been ugly, but there has been at least one bright spot: Jeremy Horst. Since joining the club, the lefthander has only surrendered three runs total (two earned) in 17 innings pitched.

14. September Call-Ups:

A lackluster season will allow the current minor leaguers a chance to get some big-league experience in a relatively pressure-free environment. Hopefully, watching Phillippe Aumont will make you forget the Phillies traded . . . Never mind.

15. Playing The Right Way:

If Chris Wheeler is still honed in on the Phillies hitting the ball to the right side with a man on second and hitting a fly ball with a man on third and less than two outs, you should be, too.

16. Let's Go . . . ?

Now on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured right toe, Nate Schierholtz will benefit by getting back out on the field before the season ends, giving him a shot to bolster his chance of being a part of the outfield next year. For now, he has extra time to work on a signature catch phrase, just like the man he replaced.

17. Return of Chooch:

The biggest bummer about the Phillies' season is that it has forced Carlos Ruiz to fly under the radar nationally, despite being the best catcher in baseball. Of those with over 300 plate appearances, Chooch leads all catchers in batting average, slugging percentage, and OPS. Unfortunately, Ruiz won't have enough plate appearances able to qualify for these statistics at the end of the season.

18. Charlie Manuel:

He's the franchise's all-time winningest manager, and declared happily that "This is for Philadelphia!" after winning the 2008 World Series. That needs to count for something, right?

19. What else are you going to do?

The Eagles play only once a week.

20. Pulse of The Phillies:

For a while now, the Phillies have held the reputation as baseball's "mentally toughest" team. The label doesn't necessarily go away with one mediocre season, but it will be put to the test. How will they respond and close out the year?

21. Dose of Humility:

Philadelphians have experienced plenty of losing. Even though the Phillies' season has been disappointing, this isn't exactly uncharted territory. Heading into next season, the town should be that much hungrier - and that much more appreciative - to get October baseball back.

22. They can be back next year:

Many things need to happen for the Phillies to right the ship, but the good news is that most of them aren't farfetched: A healthier Ryan Howard, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee returning to form, an upgrade at third base. Nothing can be taken for granted, but those developments seem doable.

23. Domonic Brown:

Did we mention how important he is?

Contact Rich Hofmann Jr. at richhof20@gmail.com