The Philadelphia Phillies have caught the Mets from behind as they are both 87-72 with 3 games left in the season.  The Phillies are also 1 game behind the Padres for the Wild Card.  So it all comes down to three games with the Washington Nationals in Philly.  The Phillies have three super hot hitters right now in Jimmy Rollins who is 9 for his last 27 (.333 avg) with 6 runs scored, 2 homers and 6 RBIs.  Chase Utley has also been outstanding lately as he is 8 for his last 24 (.333 avg) with 8 runs scored, 2 homers and 6 RBIs.  The defending MVP on the N.L. has saved his best for last as he is 8 for his last 20 (.400 avg) with 5 runs scored, 3 homers and 8 RBIs.  Look for the surging Phillies to topple the fading Mets who are playing at home this weekend where they have lost their last 7 games.

The Phillies have claimed outfielder T.J. Bohn off waivers from the Atlanta Braves.  Bohn played in 80 games at three levels of the minors for the Braves last season and he was 65 for 261 (.249 avg, .697 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 3 homers, 25 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.  Bohn will likely only serve as a defensive replacement and pinch runner for the Phillies as they are trying desperately to make the playoffs.

When the Phillies acquired Kyle Lohse from the Reds most experts didn’t think he would help the Phillies.  But he has pitched well enough to keep the Phillies in his starts.  He has started 9 games for the Phillies and he is 2-0 with a 4.25 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP.  In 48.2 innings for the Phillies, Lohse has allowed 50 hits, walked 21 batters and whiffed 33.  The Phillies have gotten really hot as they have won 8 of their last 10 games including six in a row.  The Phillies are now only 1.5 games behind the Mets in the National League East and 1.5 games behind the Padres for the National League Wild Card.

The Phillies are now 76-68 on the season which is good for 2nd place in the National League East, 6 games behind the Mets.  The Phillies would be better served to focus on the Wild Card as they are only 2.5 games behind the Padres.  It will be interesting to see if the Phillies can hit thier way into the playoffs because their pitching staff has been pretty bad this season.

I wonder what made the Phillies think that Wes Helms would be a good starting third baseman?  He was never that good when he was in Milwaukee.  Sure he had a good season in Florida last season but the Marlins were very picky as to how they used him so that they could maximize his success.  And they did that by spot starting him and using him as a pinch hitter.  Helms has been especially awful in the 2nd half of the season for the Phillies.  In 35 2nd half games, Helms is only 16 for 79 (.203 avg, .571 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 2 homers and 12 RBIs.  For the season, Helms has played in 103 games and he is hitting .248 (.669 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 5 homers and 36 RBIs.