When the Phillies embarked on their 11-game road swing, beginning last Friday night, it marked the start of arguably the toughest stretch of the season for the NL East's leading team. An odyssey that includes stops in Atlanta, Florida and St. Louis before a homestand of six interleague games against the AL's best teams -- the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
From there, the Phillies close June on the West Coast against the Oakland A's and Texas Rangers before traveling to Atlanta to face the Braves for the second time in a month. The Phillies return home before the All-Star break to host the New York Mets, Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Where is the break?
Needless to say, these next 31 games will determine whether or not the Phillies are serious World Series contenders. For now, the focus is on their current nine-game road swing. The Phillies pulled off a surprising sweep of the Braves, who have one of the majors best home records. Next up are the Marlins, who the Phillies took two of three games against just over a week ago. Finally, the Phillies meet the Cardinals, a second-place NL Central squad. While it won't be easy, the Phillies got off to a 3-0 start on their trip and have proven to be just as competitive on the road as they are at Citizens Bank Park. Next to the Angels, the Phillies own the best road record in the majors.
There's little concern this team will falter during the next six games before returning home. The offense is clicking and the pitching has been remarkable. If the Phillies can win three more games, they'll finish 6-3. I think Phillies fans will be about about that.
What would be an ideal record for the next 31 games? 18-13 sounds OK, but how about 20-11? That would put the Phillies 59-37 overall at the All-Star break.
And it would likely give the Phillies plenty of breathing room in the NL East...
Time will tell...
Monday, June 9, 2008
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2 comments:
As a Mets fan who witnessed the Phillies take the NL East crown last year, I know just how good the team is. They've been on fire this year, and it doesn't look like they're slowing down regardless of who they play over the next couple of weeks.
I think they'll compete with the likes of Boston, St. Louis and Anaheim. They won't blow them out of the water, but they'll definitely win some games.
A friend of mine who is a Mets fan explained how the Mets will get healthy and finally come together while the Phillies will struggle a la the Mets last season.
Yes, the Phillies won't stay this hot over the course of the season. At the same time, it's scary to think that -- as recent history would suggest - the Phillies play their best baseball during the summer months.
Pitching is a concern. I don't think they'll be this good the entire season and feel they'll need to acquire a starter at the trade deadline.
We'll see what happens...
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