I know. 13 games out of first place in the NL East. But, after 24 runs in 2 days, and just 2 1/2 games out in the Wild Card race, I'm in. So, move over. Make room for me on the Phillies bandwagon. Not that I really ever left, mind you. It's just that, now, I'm looking at the road ahead instead of the road WAY ahead - as in next season. I think there's still some hope for this season.
One big reason, Ryan Howard. He's up to 41 home runs now, and has a good chance of breaking Mike Schmidt's single-season Phillies record of 48, set in the World Series-winning year of 1980. When Howard hit his 40th over the weekend, he became the first Phillie since Jim Thome to accomplish the feat. Only a two-year gap there. But, when Thome hit 47 in 2003, he was the first Phillie to hit 40 or more HR in a season in 20 years! No one had done it since Schmidt, who had 40 in 1983.
Another reason? Jimmy Rollins. What does he have? 4 or 5 home runs in the past week? Guess he's eating his Wheaties.
And, here's hoping Chase Utley has one more hitting streak left in him.
Now, if we could just get some consistent pitching ....