In Season Post-Season - Thursday, July 10, 2008
219 Views :: 0 Comments :: :: Michael Bradley

   The Phillies finally won a series over somebody besides their whipping posts -- the Braves -- and everybody at Citizens Bank Park was thrilled. Ryan Howard hit. All three starting pitchers were strong. The bullpen did its job. This wasn't a juggernaut job or anything, but taking two of three from the wild-card leaders was a fine accomplishment.

   Now come the Diamondbacks, leaders of the NL Worst and possessors of one of the best pitching staffs around. It's playoff baseball in mid-July, and it's imperative the Phillies approach this series with the kind of urgency they lacked when getting roughed up by American League teams. There is no better way to go into the All-Star break than to have won a pair of series over two teams that would be in the post-season if the season ended right now.

   The trouble is, these Phillies don't seem to have the drive necessary to play the kind of methodical, successful baseball that can beat a string of contenders. Every time they get on a roll, they seem to throttle back. Perhaps it's complacency. Or maybe they're just not good enough to sustain. More than likely, this is a team lacking the same fire that carried them through the season in 2007. There seems to be a feeling on the team that when things get tough, the "on" switch will be thrown, and all will be well. With the Mets charging and setting up the race everybody figured was a certainty, the Phillies had better find a spark.

   It's hard to tell where it will come, because the team lacks a fiery leader like Aaron Rowand was last year. No one on the team is willing to step up and be the spokesman, especially now that Brett Myers, who was trying to be the team's face during the early spring, is floundering. Charlie Manuel is a solid presence in the clubhouse, but the players seem to be too laid-back or young to be leaders. That's not a good thing in a pennant race.

   This series gives the Phillies the chance to keep the division lead heading into the break and let the NL know they can handle just about anything the league can throw at them -- sort of.  It's early to assign too much value to a three-game set, but the Phillies need some momentum, so tighten those laces and get after it, fellas, or things could get pretty shaky next week.