Red Means Go

I can only write about this because the Phillies have an off day today. Otherwise even mentioning it would give the Phillies a loss this evening. Thank you schedule gods.

I remember last year too vividly. I remember the David Bell error. I remember Craig Biggio hitting the home run off of Billy Wagner and ultimately ending the Phils season. I remember missing the wild card by one stinking game. But you know what. David Bell isn't here anymore. Billy the mouth isn't here anymore. And for the first time in months we are at a place where the Phillies are actually on the inside looking towards the postseason. Our magic number is 11.

Check this out. Over our past 21 games our starters are 9-3 with a 3.38 ERA. The NL ERA leaders for the season are the Marlins with a 4.08. Really. And when we need it most we are at 3.38. Compare that with those chumps up north (the Mets) who have their "ace" crying in the dugout. Compare that with the Dodgers who have lost two in a row to the Pirates.

You can just feel it. The guys are confident. They are talking about it.

Mike Liebrethal - "That's the key. That's the key to really getting into the playoffs and getting far in the playoffs. It's starting pitching. I think our starting pitching is as good as it can be right now."

Charlie Manuel - "Yeah, I think we're going to win it. I think we've got a good chance to win. All we have to do is what we did tonight. Come to the ballpark Friday and win a game. Let's see how many we can win before the season ends"

Brett Myers - We've got guys who have been in the playoffs with [Jamie] Moyer and [Jon] Lieber,[Randy] Wolf has been here a long time. [Cole] Hamels is coming up, but he's got great stuff, but I don't think people understand how good he is. We just to be supportive of each other. We help each other out."

Let's face it. Moyer, Lieber, Myers, Hamels, Wolfy. These guys can all perform in the playoffs. They can all go deep into games. Utley, Howard, Rollins, these guys are dying for the big stage.

Abe Nunez is now batting a season high .214.

This team is about to do something really really special. I can't wait to watch Ryan Howard's first October.