PHILLIES PHODDER

* The Phillies lost 2 of 3 from the Oakland A's over the weekend. No one really cares, with the Eagles' season underway.The latest loss left the team with 91 defeats, with 13 games left to play this season. Will they lose 100 games for the first time since 1961?  Here's my prediction:

- 4 home games vs. Dodgers- The Phillies win 1. The Dodgers are still vying for best overall record in the National League and in baseball. Kershaw, Darvish and Wood pitch the first three games for Los Angeles. Even though the Phils are a surprising
 3-4 lifetime against Kershaw, he is just too good now, only losing one decision since May 1 ( he is 17-3 overall).

- 3 road games at Atlanta- The Braves have packed it in too,. The Phillies have mastered Atlanta this season, but I see the Phillies only taking 1 game in their final road series of 2017

- 3 at home vs Washington- The Nationals, having already clinched the NL East division, may rest some starters, but the Nats are also jockeying for playoff position, so expect the Phils to win 1 game in this series.

- 3 at home vs Mets- New York has had  Philly's number for several years now. If the above goes as I predict, the Phillies would need to win 2 games to avoid the dreaded 100 defeats. I say the Phils get 2, thus ending the season losing 99 games.

* It had to happen Rhys Hoskins went 0 for 11 with 5 strikeouts over the weekend. I'm still excited about the future with Hoskins & co. Watch him finish strong in the final 13 games of the season.

* With the loss to Oakland, the Phils finished 5-15 against the American League this summer.  They never do well in inter division games. They rank 29th all-time out of 30 teams. Next season they have the Yankees at home, Tampa Bay on the road, and Boston, Baltimore and Toronto home and away.

* Circle October 2 on the calendar. It's the day after the season ends. If the organization fires Pete Mackanin it will be then. Will the coaches go as well? GM Matt Klentak is safe ( although I would fire his ass). No one should be safe. Despite the Hoskins' hope, and the young players doing well, this team is still going to finish in last place, nearing a record-setting 100 losses. The front office cannot feel good about the late season excitement. They have to remember the dreadful spring when the team collapsed, when the games really mattered.

Build on what you have, plan for the future accordingly, but don't stand pat, especially with pitching. Learn from the mistakes made. Play the kids next year, bring Scott Kingery to Philadelphia after May 1, and don't sign stop-gap old,w ashed-up guys like Michael Saunders ( who never did get another job after the Phillies cut him).