Red Hot Philadelphia Phillies Pepper

I glanced at my watch and the day reads September 24th. If you recall, and I understand if you would like not to, the Phillies were in the process of a dreadful four game sweep of the cellar dweller Houston Astros. The Phillies were horrific in that series. It was like they were learning to play baseball for the first time. I think, Japan, winners of the 2010 Little League World Series, could have swept the Phillies. Ok, maybe that's a little harsh, but that's how ugly it was. The Phillies scored 7 runs in that series. The offense was swinging at golf balls. The runners on base were daydreaming instead of baserunning and J.A. Happ, Brett Myers, and Michael Bourn each stuck it to the Phils in one way or another. How can we forget that Michael Bourn scored on a single from first base? Now, do you understand the ugliness? The worse movie I've ever seen was Boogeyman. And I would've much rather have watched that instead.

However, since that time, something finally clicked with this team. The Phillies went 6-1 on the West Coast road trip following the Astros series. The three game sweep of the Padres turned the season around. It was exactly what this team needed. To get away from Citizens Bank Park and focus on nothing but baseball. In that series, the Phils played situational baseball, the exact opposite of what they did against Houston. They had timely hitting coupled with great defense and great pitching, which has consistently carried this team throughout this wacky season. Ironic, isn't it?

Thanks to the Phillies, the Padres endured a 10 game losing streak beginning with that set at Petco. But that's for the people in San Diego to discuss. The Phillies are 22-4 since Aug. 27th and have won 10 straight. During that span, the Phils overtook Atlanta for the division lead for the first since May 31st. The offense rose from the dead and the foursome of Utley, Howard, Werth and Ibanez are producing the way every Phillies fan expected. The "RRRRAAAAUUUULLLL" chants that roared throughout the stadium last season have erupted again. And that's something to get excited about.

The magic number to clinch is four and coming to town tonight is the New York Mets. A team that would want nothing more then to cool off the Phillies. But if the Phillies continue to play the way they have been, the Mets don't stand a chance. And I don't see that happening. C'mon people, it's the Mets. What a great way to greet them then another shelacking of R.A. Dickey at the bank this evening.

Despite this hot streak, there's still much work to be done. Uncle Charlie said it best "You're not in until you're in. First, we got to get in."