N.L. Playoff Push: Weekend of Worry in Philadelphia

Three games to play. 

Three teams in play. 

Two spots open.

One-game lead.

Do the math, then grab your heartburn remedy of choice, because this weekend's gonna be rough.

In the game of musical chairs that is the N.L. East and wild-card races, the Phillies control their own destiny. 

So why doesn't it feel that way?

Last season, as they chased down the choke-of-all-time Mets, fans had this sense that they were somehow going to pull it off. Which, for Phillies fans—a typically fatalistic bunch—is quite odd.

Unlike Jimmy Rollins' assessment of the Philadelphia fans, the team itself doesn't seem to do well as the front-runner. It seemed like the Phils had them just where they wanted them, like a stock-car driver executing a bump draft down the straightaway.

But in this playoff chase, the positions are reversed. And the Phillies just don't seem to know how to handle it. Sure, the Fightin's were in first place for a large chunk of the season. But as the heat was turned up by New York, the Phils relinquished first, dropped back 2.5 games, and were written off by many of the fans and the media.

But, true to form, the Phils stormed back in September and reclaimed the lead. The only problem: They did it too quickly. There were—and are—still games to play.

And so it comes down to the final weekend. And the Phillies are in the unfamiliar position of being the pursued instead of the pursuers.

The Phillies' record in such situations isn't exactly stellar.

My father was 14 years old in 1964. He still lives with the epic collapse of Gene Mauch's bunch. He typifies the stereotypical, pessimistic Phillies fan. As recently as last night, he was foretelling the Phillies "blowing it." And even if they get there, "they're not going anywhere."

One championship in 124 years keeps Phillies' fans a little more...Cautious—or is that callous?

But the thing about this 2008 team is that they haven't folded their tent. They've battled. Their bullpen, which was supposed to be the team's weakness at the start of the season, has been one of the best in baseball. Ryan Howard is once again an MVP candidate.

They say anything can happen once you get to the playoffs. They also say those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

I'm not quite sure who "they" are, but with three games left, the music is still playing and two chairs remain.

I just hope they're playing our song.