Ryan Howard and Kyle Lohse helped the Phils get back on track last night in a 5-2 win in Atlanta. Lohse has quietly put in solid outing after solid outing. When Gillick made the move to bring him in, most of us mocked. But it has proven to be a wise decision.
The Phils currently stand three games out of the wild card. Arizona and SD are tied for the top spot with the Phils and LA 3 games back. Colorado is currently four back. With a month left, anything could happen.
What is discouraging to me is the news that the return of Cole Hamels is now dependent on how the Phillies fare in the standings.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
If the Phillies have fallen too far out of playoff contention, "I don't
think it would serve a purpose," Hamels said. "It would be too much of
a risk, unless we're going for something. The goal is to finish the
season healthy, whether it's two or three starts, but that all depends
on our chances for the playoffs."
Former Phillies closer and now Comcast analyst Mitch Williams has pretty much called out Hamels for not fighting through a little "dead arm." It's certainly not encouraging anyway you look at it. If Cole is simply being a wimp about things, then our ace isn't the kind of gamer we all hoped he'd be. On the other hand, if it is in fact a more serious injury, then shit, our ace has a serious injury.
I'm beginning to like the Phils chances less and less with every passing game.
>>Hamels return up in the air [MLB]