I am eating my words. I said a week ago, after the second Mets sweep , that I was not going to let the Phillies get me wrapped up in their playoff chase until they had found a way to get on top of the heap of contenders for the wild card or the division. I had been right there until they wilted after the first Mets sweep. The pitching problems, the untimely fielding errors and lack of focus to beat teams that they are better than was making me neurotic.

Their play since then in winning 8 of 9 games, combined with the Mets staggering performance, has pulled them to within 1 game of the division lead with 9 to play. One game out. Forget what I said. This is close enough.

Last night’s 6-3 win came against the usually Phillies tough Sean Hill. It was fueled by the heart of the lineup and closed out for the 3rd straight game by their recently discovered late inning lock down combination, left - 16, right - 45, right - 39. Since Charlie locked in on Romero to Gordon to Meyers, they have been good enough to finish games when the starters can find their way to the sixth inning.

The Jimmy Rollins for MVP chant is growing in volume and deservedly so. Rollins got hits 200 and201 last night. I suggested in the first week of the month that this is another typical (typical for the 21 century version) close but not quite Phillies team and that is still the most likely outcome. Oh what this team could do with another 200 inning per season/16+ game winner in the rotation. The Phillies will be better in the long run if they swap a piece of the everyday core lineup for a top of the rotation starter. Even with this outstanding season he is completing, I would trade Jimmy Rollins in the right deal. But all of that is for the off season. Right now, the pitching staff that has been patched together through the course of this injury strewn year is getting it done. The post season is around the corner and the Phils are close enough to touch it.