Snap Out Of It - Friday, August 29, 2008
227 Views :: 0 Comments :: :: Michael Bradley

   At about 10:00 p.m. EDT Thursday night, the Phillies looked in great shape. Cole Hamels had just dealt seven excellent innings in a Wrigley Field cauldron, and all that was needed to secure a 4-1 victory was a strong eighth inning on the mound and a normal turn by Mr. Automatic, Brad Lidge, in the ninth.

   It wasn't to be, and the Phils' second consecutive blown opportunity at prosperity had better serve as a chilling reminder to the team that good opposition plays hard for nine innings, even if one of those teams is the Mets and their shaky bullpen. The Cubs waited until Hamels was gone, and then pounced on Ryan Madson, whose unreliability is hardly new, and Chad Durbin, who shocked Phillies fans Thursday by surrendering a crippling salami to Aramis Ramirez.

   When this tough stretch started last Friday against the Dodgers, I said the Phillies play against a group of three top NL teams would define the late part of their season. The first five games went well, but losses to the Mets and Cubbies in the last two have been particularly nauseating, because they have been of the come-from-ahead variety and have featured breakdowns in the dugout and on the mound, two spots where vital games are won or lost.

   Since the Phils trail the Mets by only one game, there is no need to panic. But faced with the opportunity to prove they can play well against top-shelf opposition, the Phillies have staggered so far. The euphoria of Tuesday's win over the Mets is long gone, replaced by dread from fans who see three games remaining against the Cubs and their excellent pitching staff. The Phillies could win two out of three, for sure, but not if they continue to falter at crucial times. Having the heart to fight back is key, but possessing the focus to hold onto leads late in games is even more important, especially late in the year and (we hope) in the post-season.

   The next three days will provide the Phils with the chance to show they can handle the late-game crucible of pennant-race baseball. They haven't been able to deal with the pressure the last two nights, so they had better snap out of it quickly, or the red-hot Cubs will make them look bad and send them on to Washington in a hole. Everybody in the dugout must understand that Chicago's confidence is high and extends for nine full innings. The laid-back Phillies must match that and deliver a complete game or perhaps fail to reach the post-season.

   So, wake up, Phillies. It's time to play -- and manage -- championship ball. Or else.