It’s their party, they’ll cry if they want to. And they have. Like a 6 year old girl stomping her feet and throwing a tantrum, the Phillies have tried to justify their poor play and offensive ineptitude recently on anyone but themselves. Claiming that the Umpires were largely to blame in their first two losses to the Houston Astros, the Phillies are starting to show signs of fatigue and frustration. First it was the Michael Bourn play, then it was Ryan Howard’s check swings the following night.

The Phillies need to take a long, hard look in the mirror and understand that they, not the umpires, are in control of their destiny. A game should never come down to one call, and if the Phillies were playing well, they wouldn’t be putting themselves in a position where an umpire’s mistake loses them the game.

The character and heart of this Phillies’ team has played an integral part in their success over the last few years. They’ve carried with them a certain swagger and confidence that makes other teams take notice when they come to town. But recently, they’re not playing well, and their crying about it and blaming the umps. This is not the Phillies team I’ve come to love and respect so much. I know they’re a mentally strong bunch, but they’re not acting like it right now.

Due to the talent level and experience on this team, they’ll probably sneak into the playoffs despite their recent setback. But if they want to make a run at a third straight World Series berth, they’re going to have to recapture the mental toughness and resilience that made them such a feared opponent in the first place.

Over the past few seasons, August and September have been very successful months for the Phillies. They will need that trend to continue this year as they find themselves in the unfamiliar position of being in second place. Considering the plethora of injuries and the fact that their opening day lineup has only seen the field 7 times this year, they’re lucky to find themselves only 1.5 games back. Having won 13 of 15 and playing their next ten at home, the Phils are prime to make a move right now. The key, however, will be keeping the Braves in close enough striking distance until Howard and Utley make their return.
Uncle Charlie has done a masterful job managing these Phils the past few years, but this may very well be his best so far, as he’s been forced to mix and match with bench players that have been unexpectedly called into starting duties.

Here are the 3 biggest keys to the Phillies making a fourth straight postseason appearance……

1) The Bullpen-The pen has been by far the Phillies biggest issue of late, especially with the struggles of J.C. Romero. Romero is the Phils only left handed option right now and he’s not simply not getting it done. If Manuel continues to put him in key spots late in games, the Phils are in trouble. The return of Ryan Madson and Chad Durbin has helped, and Lidge has been pitching well of late. But I think you’d be hard pressed to find a Phillies fan that says they’re comfortable with Brad “lights on” Lidge as the anchor of this bullpen. Manuel will continue to go with matchups late in games, even if it means using multiple pitchers in the 9th.

2-Howard/Utley return from DL- Jimmy Rollins may make this team go, but the Phillies are simply not the same without the big man in the middle of the order. Luckily, Werth and Ibanez have turned it on as of late, and the Phillies have done a nice job manufacturing runs recently without the home run ball.

3-Roy, Roy and Cole- The big three at the top of the rotation need to continue to pitch like they’re capable if the Phillies want to keep this division close heading into September. Without their starting pitching this year, the Phils might be 10 games out by now. Halladay and Hamels have both pitched better than their records indicate, but they’ve given the Phils a chance to win virtually every single one of their starts this season. Kendrick had a rough April and early May, but has been their most consistent starter after Halladay and Hamels since then.

They’re certainly in a good position to make another run, but we all know the Braves won’t be easy to catch this year, as they are playing inspired baseball for their legendary skipper, Bobby Cox.

by James at the Sports Fan Blog Network

Tonight, Kyle Kendrick takes the mound against Andy Pettitte. Clearly this match-up favors the Yankees, but the Phillies will try to pull out the victory if their hitting can show up for two straight games.

by David at the Sports Fan Blog Network

While I expect the Phillies offense to get on track because that lineup is just too talented, there has to be a little concern in Philadelphia. Jimmy Rollins has been unable to stay healthy this year and they have not gotten much production from his replacement Juan Castro. If the Phillies are going to make a third straight trip to the World Series this fall, they must get a healthy and productive Jimmy Rollins back into the lineup. He is the catalyst for that offense and sets the table for Ryan Howard and Chase Utley.

The answer to that question is simply, yes. Right now, except for Roy Halladay, Philadelphia has a very shaky pitching situation. Cole Hamels can go from looking like an ace to a scrub within a one-week change. Jamie Moyer looks like he will be playing forever, but not in a good way. J.A. Happ has been hurt, and Kyle Kendrick shouldn’t even be in the big leagues. If Cliff Lee was on this team, that would be a surreal 1-2 punch. Even though he would leave in the off-season, that would be an incredible World Series push. Once players such as Howard and Utley get old, this team will go through a rebuilding face. So depleting the farm system to have both Halladay and Lee on this team would have been worth it. Philadelphia has one ace, but two aces beats one.

by David at the Sports Fan Blog Network

Brad Lidge closed it out, Howard was selected NL championship series MVP and the Phillies became the first team to reach consecutive World Series since the New York Yankees in 2000-01.

“I can get used to it,” manager Charlie Manuel told a cheering crowd. “We got one more step and we’re going to get it!”

Now, Jimmy Rollins and crew wait for their next opponent. They’ll go for their third World Series title beginning next Wednesday night at New York or Los Angeles. The Yankees lead the Angels 3-1 in the ALCS, which resumes Thursday night at Angel Stadium.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

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Howard started the game’s scoring with a solo homer in the second off Braves starter Javier Vazquez, but Atlanta would answer in the bottom half of the fourth inning with a solo home run by Matt Diaz.

Click here to read the full article – By Adam Rosenberg of MLB.com

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Lee boosted a rotation that has pitched much better recently. The Phillies also got outfielder Ben Francisco, who improved a bench that needed a right-handed bat. Combine an improved rotation and bench with the best offense and one of the best defenses in the National League, and the Phillies could be considered favorites to reach the World Series once more.

Click here to read the full article – By Todd Zolecki of MLB.com

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Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez all hit two-run shots Sunday, and Joe Blanton extended his two months of dominance, as the Phillies beat the Cardinals, 9-2, for their fifth straight series victory at Citizens Bank Park. With a 5-2 homestand, the Phillies improved to a season-high 16 games over .500. They have won 14 of their past 16 in Philadelphia and have 138 home runs, by far the most in the National League. Colorado is second with 113 through Saturday.

Click here to read the full article – By David Gurian-Peck of MLB.com

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With men on second and third, first baseman Derrek Lee made a nice stab on Chase Utley’s hard grounder, checking the runners before stepping on the bag. Ryan Howard struck out. Raul Ibanez was down to his final strike. Then Lilly left a 2-2 fastball down the middle of the plate. Ibanez crushed it.

Click here to read the full article – By David Gurian-Peck of MLB.com

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