Only the Phillies could turn a triple play and still make their fans cringe in their seats like they were watching their post-season hopes dwindle. Oh wait,….that’s right.
Our beloved Phils are now tied for second place in the NL Wild Card at 3 games behind the Padres after losing a close one 12 - 0 at home to the Rockies. Kyle Kendrick left in the fourth inning with a knee injury. The bats didn’t show up once again Thursday night as the “hot or not” trend continues with hitting with a whopping 3 hits. To make matters worse, if Kendrick misses any time the Phillies are left with only one pitcher in the starting rotation that consistently gives them a chance to win; Kyle Lohse. For now, the Phillies strongest arm in the starting rotation was acquired in a deadline trade with the Cincinnati Reds. But don’t throw in the towel yet.

Just as you mutter “Jesus Christ” at Wes Helms’ latest and most inventive way of grounding out, here comes the man himself, Cole Hamels. Hamels threw a 30-pitch bullpen session and is confident he will return to the rotation on September 18 against St. Louis. Any innings Hamels can offer the Phillies means less Jose Mesa, and Geoff Geary.

While Phillies batting has been inconsistent at best recently, they are capable of better. Pat Burrell has four home runs in the last seven days. Jimmy Rollins leads all of baseball with 187 runs scored and Rod Bara– …hm let me not get too ahead of myself, but we have all seen the Phillies have one of the most capable batting orders in the NL.

If three good pitchers (Hamels, Lohse, and Kendrick) can make a run with good Phillies batting, we could have a race for a wild-card spot. The Fightin’ Phils have 17 games left. And in the mediocre National League…anything could happen.