- Perhaps the biggest game of the Phillies season is on tap tonight. Win and they sweep the powerful Nationals in Washington and have a 4-game winning streak going into the Yankees series.Win and they are 2 1/2 games ahead of the Nats instead of a mere 1/2 game. Win and it gives Washington something to think about and puts the pressure on them going into next weekend's big 4-game series against Washington at Citizens Bank Park. Win, and if the braves lose to the Orioles again this afternoon, pull to only 1/2 game out of the lead in National League East.
- The team has a different hero each game. Franco gets 4 hits on Saturday in the 5-3 win. Dominguez closes the 9th as he should with a pair of strikeouts in the 1-2-3 inning. Santana hits another home run. Even though Herrera did not homer for the first time in six games, the offense still added on and kept ahead of the Nats.
- With the victory, the Phillies move to 41-33, which happens to be the exact score- 41-33- of the Eagles' Super Bowl win. An omen?
-The Phils have been fortunate not to face either Scherzer or Stroudsberg this weekend. Next week will be a different story. This weekend is breeding more confidence in the Fightins. If they have a good series vs New York going into the crucial Washington set, the club should be cruising. Coming out of this tough stretch in June, to face am easier schedule in July ( Orioles, Reds, Pirates and Marlins are just a few of the team they will battle in July) should also breed confidence and tell GM Klentak that he needs to be a buyer, not a seller at the trade deadline.
- First round draft pick, third baseman Alec Bohm, is on fire in the Florida rookie league. It will be interesting to see how quickly he moves thru the farm system, on his way to Philadelphia.
- You know the Phillies are relevant again, for the first time in a long time, when they are on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball. With a nationwide audience it would be great if young players such as Herrera, Hoskins and Kingery especially to have big games. For Odubel, a good game tonight in front of a large viewership may help him get some votes in the upcoming All-Star Game.
- The evil empire, the new York Yankees, invade the ballpark Monday-Wednesday. Their arrogant fans will try and take over, as always. The Yanks haven't visited Philly in 9 years. It will be payback time for the 1950 and 2009 World Series. Since New York currently has the best record in baseball, a series sweep or win would go a long way in showing the Phils that they can play with anyone. Don't be intimidated by the Bronx Bombers and their antics and history and 27 World Championships. Just do what you are always do. Play sound defense, get clutch hits, have quality pitching and play relaxed. They are only the Yankees.
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