It's only September 5th, so there are still more than three weeks left in the season.  However, it's getting late for the Phillies in the National League East division race.  Already three games behind the Mets, a bad showing this weekend could have them making golf plans for early October.

Arrogance aside, right now the Mets are the team to beat.  Since the All-Star game, they have the second-best record in the league.  The Phillies have struggled to play .500 ball.  Jimmy Rollins' up-and-down season plus his feud with the fans have really taken a lot of fight out of this team.

Meanwhile, the Mets just keep on rolling.  They do, however, fully remember what happened at the end of last season.  They look like they are commited to not having history repeat itself.  Although several players have stepped up, the MVP of the second half appears to be manager Jerry Manuel.  He's pulled all the right strings to make this team run like a well-oiled machine.

Tonight's game would appear to be the key to the series.  With a victory, the Mets would open a four-game lead.  This puts all the pressure on the Phillies.  This is also the last three games of the season between these two rivals.

Mets fan?  Phillies fan?  Doesn't matter.  Tune in for what is sure to be an exciting, tough-fought and confrontational series.  We'll pick up the pieces on Monday.

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