Great news! The Reds beat the Padres tonight and that officially clinched a playoff spot for the Phillies!
Now for the not-so-good...
Let's face it. The last two games of this series against the Muts were not pretty. A few plays here and there and we walk away with a sweep sending the fans at the Bank into joyous celebration over our division title.
However, the one positive that came over these last two days is that the Braves couldn't seem to take advantage of our recent troubles losing 2 of 3 to the Nationals this weekend. Their loss on Sunday limits the Phillies magic number to just 1. It seems just ages ago that we had swept Atl to cut the number to 4, although its been just 3 games ago...
So we enter Washington looking to clinch the NL East season with the same way they started it; with Doc Halladay on the mound.
As I said, the Phils already clinched a playoff spot with the Padres loss today to the Reds which is a plus, but there still is a higher goal to aim for. As I said our magic number to win the East is just 1; on top of that, our magic number to win the division is just 2. That's just 2 wins to clinch home-field throughout the playoffs.
I say we go in and win the first two games in Washington and put an end to all this chasing. Clinch early and give our regulars a well needed day off since the playoffs wouldn't start until a week from that Wednesday.
Of course, that will not be an easy task. The Nationals always play the Phillies well and it will be an uphill climb. The Phillies will have extra firepower on Monday as well with Jimmy Rollins set to return.
I say we go in and win the first two games in Washington and put an end to all this chasing. Clinch early and give our regulars a well needed day off since the playoffs wouldn't start until a week from that Wednesday.
Of course, that will not be an easy task. The Nationals always play the Phillies well and it will be an uphill climb. The Phillies will have extra firepower on Monday as well with Jimmy Rollins set to return.
So without further adieu, here are the pitching matchups for the upcoming series.
Monday:
Roy Halladay (20-10 2.53 overall; 2-0 0.64 vs. Nats)
vs.
John Lannan (8-7 4.58 overall; 0-1 7.27 vs. Phi)
Tuesday:
Roy Oswalt (13-13 2.80 overall; 2-2 3.80 vs. Nats)
vs.
Jason Marquis (2-9 7.18 overall; 0-4 12.51 vs. Phi)
Wednesday:
Joe Blanton (8-6 4.94 overall; 0-0 6.00 vs. Nats)
vs.
Ross Detwiler (1-2 2.52 overall; 0-0 1.23 vs. Phi)
Let's face it. You know Doc Halladay wants to put an end to this race. If the Phillies want to win these two games, then they have their best on the mound. Hopefully they can produce.
I won't make any predictions this series. Let's just watch and see how it unfolds....
Roy Halladay (20-10 2.53 overall; 2-0 0.64 vs. Nats)
vs.
John Lannan (8-7 4.58 overall; 0-1 7.27 vs. Phi)
Tuesday:
Roy Oswalt (13-13 2.80 overall; 2-2 3.80 vs. Nats)
vs.
Jason Marquis (2-9 7.18 overall; 0-4 12.51 vs. Phi)
Wednesday:
Joe Blanton (8-6 4.94 overall; 0-0 6.00 vs. Nats)
vs.
Ross Detwiler (1-2 2.52 overall; 0-0 1.23 vs. Phi)
Let's face it. You know Doc Halladay wants to put an end to this race. If the Phillies want to win these two games, then they have their best on the mound. Hopefully they can produce.
I won't make any predictions this series. Let's just watch and see how it unfolds....
Until we meet again Phillies fans; Happy Readings and Go Phillies!
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