Division? Wild Card? Who Cares
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, September 17, 2008 12:46 PM
With 11 games to play and the Phils atop the East, everybody wants the division, obviously. It would be sweet to reject the Mets of a division title again. But I say who cares — just get in.
If the 2007 Rockies showed us anything, it’s that it doesn’t matter how you get into the playoffs. If you’re hot, you’re hot, and no team is hotter right now than the Phillies.
So what if the Phils win the Wild Card? They play one less home game? The 40-36 road record cancels out my doubts.
And with the Wild Card comes an underdog label, the kind of label the Phillies thrive with. Nothing like having extra chips on your shoulder.
It doesn’t matter if the Mets win the division, as long as we win the card. Home or not, this team has proven it can win in most any situation. And against any team. The Brewers? Took care of them (5-1 against them). The Dodgers? Sure they slipped, but they got them back (4-4 against them). The Mets? We know how to beat them (despite the 7-11 record). The Cubs? Played them extremely well (4-3 against them).
In fact, the Phils match up well with all of the top National League contenders. During the split at Wrigley Field I saw that the Phils played the Cubs better than any team has played them this season. I’m confident the Phils can win a five-game series against any of the top NL contenders. Division champ or Wild Card winner.
All they got to do is get in.
14 Responses to “Division? Wild Card? Who Cares”
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September 17th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
I agree. We’re hot right now, thats all that matters.
Ryan Howard will win the MVP if they win the division though, keep that in mind.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
We are better off if Howard does not win the MVP, he will be looking for even more money at arbitration this time, and may show up out of shape and distracted next season again.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I think the phillies will be less arrogant in arbitration if he wins another MVP. if he wins a second MVP they might actually cave and try to buy out a year or two of free agency with a premature extension.
September 17th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
This season I’ve been mad at Utley, Burrell, Howard, Rollins, Myers…but you know what? Who cares?
September 17th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Anyone else findin themselves thinking about baseball literally every second of the day now? Hoping I’m not just crazy, but these next 2 weeks are just awesome.
September 17th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Mike,
I am with you I have been hopeful all season, now I am excited after the way we played the Cubs, and Dodgers, swept the Brewers, and know we can beat the Muts. THis is the first time I actually felt like we can make it to the WS. Trying not to get overexcited.
September 17th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Your argument about their road record defeats itself. They’re 40-36 (.526) on the road, 44-31 (.586) at home. That’s enough of a swing to be worth paying attention to. If they win the WC they travel to Wrigley where the Cubs are unstoppable. If they win the division they sit at home and get to face the slumping Brewers or Dodgers.
September 17th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
We would have swept the Cubs in Wrigley if we had a set-up man.
We also would have swept the Cubs at CBP if instant replay was in that game.
September 17th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
That’s what I have been saying. Mets and Phillies in the NLCS. See ya there
September 17th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Is Shane okay?
September 18th, 2008 at 3:17 am
Honestly, I want the Phillies to win the division because I really want them to have home field advantage. I also want to have the Brewers in the Wildcard. Send the Mets packing early again. The way I see it, three teams are competing now (we are 99% sure the Cubs will be in, and the Dodgers and D-Backs won’t really affect the Phillies). This is provided the Phillies take 2 of 3 from the Marlins. But like you all, I will just be happy if they get in at this point! I am just glad Brett Myers is back to being himself. He was missed the first half. I also hope they re-sign Jamie Moyer.
September 18th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
I am a Mets an who reads your blog just to see check and see the NL east from a rivals point of view. and I agree with you 100%. Post Season Baseball is post season baseball. Ofcourse as a mets fan, i want the mets to win the East, but the wildcard is just as sweet. Even though your a phillies fan, i do like your like blog, keep up the good work.
September 18th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
The Phillies handle road games better than other teams in the race.. BUT.. since the other teams defend their home-turf so much better than the Phillies do, winning the NL East becomes a BIG, BIG deal.
We currently have a better record than anyone except the CUbbies…
So I could see us beating LA in a series, and the Mets beating the Cubs… giving the Phillies home-field in the NLCS vs. the Mets, which would be an unreal series.
September 18th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
well, id feel a whole lot better if they would have traded jimmy rollins at the trade deadline, but i guess well have to do with him for now….