Critical Condition

As the Phillies wraped up a four game series split with the Cubs last night with a 6-4 win, I can't help but feel they are going into a critical part of their schedule. As of today May 1st the Phillies are in 4th place in the NL East but only 3.5 games out of first place. So as poor as they were throughout the month of April, they are still right there with a chance to catch up, and what better time to catch up then now. the next nine games will be of most importance to them. With games against all three teams that are above them in the division standings. Tonight kicks off a three game set with the Braves in Atlanta. Friday begins a weekends series in Washington against the Nationals and Monday May 7th they return home to face the New York Mets. These next nine games are by far a great chance to make some noise that they have not yet made this season. 

Cole Hamels is set for two divisional match-ups in
Atlanta and Washington DC.

Lets start with the series against the Braves. Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay and Joe Blanton are scheduled to pitch the three games. Its almost like the first two are must wins due to Blanton being on the mound, but then again you never know. The Cubs beat Halladay last week, and Blanton came back the next night and shut the Chicago hitters down. I guess we will see what happens but if the Phillies are gonna make up any ground they have to start winning series. So after the trip to Atlanta the Phillies will arrive in Washington DC. (my hometown, well kind of, i live in the suburbs of DC) So needless to say I love it every time the Phillies come here as I get a chance to see them more often than if they didnt come. Friday night right now looks like a Kyle Kendrick vs Stephen Stasburg pitching duel. Well that just screams big fat loser for the Phillies. which im sure all Nationals fans will be happy about. You see, this weekend is "Take Back the Park" weekend for the Nationals. a marketing ploy to try and keep Phillies fans out of their stadium. We all know the kick back from that and the pre-sale and everything so i'm not gonna get into that right now. All I will say is, "You will never take back our park, Citizens Bank Park South" The droves of Phillies fans will be there in mass, especially on Saturday afternoon and Sunday night for the ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball. I know I will be there. With Worley and Hamels scheduled to pitch the last two games of the series they should be good ones. As long as the Phillies can hit the ball. The last of the three upcoming series is home to the Mets. The Mets have proven to be a scrappy team thus far and already took two of three in Philadelphia this season. It would be nice to get some pay back and hopefully pass them in the standings during this series. 

Nationals Park: Also knows as  Citizens Bank Park South

All of this catch up hinges on the success of the offence. there is still alot of questions that need to be answered. when is this team going to hit consistently? When will this team put together more than 2 games of solid hitting before going ice cold again? Will the next nine games be a show of character or a sign of things to come? How long can the Phillies "stay afloat" before a change is made or someone is "moved"? still alot to answer and hopefully after the next nine games we will have a clearer picture. 

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