Not much has changed in the standings since my post in July, right around the time the Mets struck gold with a 10-game winning streak, to tie the Phillies atop the NL East.The two teams enter tonight's opener of a two-game series in Philly tied in the loss column, and the Phils a 1/2 game back overall.
This is a brutal stretch for the resurgent Phightin's (they've won 7 out of 8): Two with the Mets, then four here in Chicago against the almighty Cubs, with series' against Florida (still dangerous), the Mets in New York, and Milwaukee (wouldn't hurt to pass them in the wildcard standings) in the near future.
While Jimmy Rollins has been absolutely brutal -- although he did have a nice game last night -- since his infamous "frontrunner" controversy, the team has started clicking a bit since the Dodgers swept them in L.A.
The starting pitching remains eerily solid. Brad Lidge is back to being dominant at closer. Chase Utley is starting to hit again. And, the Mets bullpen woes continue with Billy Wagner possibly out for the season with his inury, and starter John Maine on the DL with a bone spur in his shoulder.
This is still the Phillies, though, and until they're popping champagne corks officially, there's nothing to get too excited about, yet.
I don't even know the purpose of this post, other than it's helping to settle the nerves a bit to letting out some energy banging away at the keyboard for a few minutes on the day of the series opener against the foes from Flushing.
Moyer vs. Pedro tonight seems like a fair fight...Santana vs. Kendrick on Wednesday, not so much.
Should be a great series. I'm looking forward to reading about each game the following morning.
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