This city has a fever, and the only cure is more …….. Ryan Howard?! He’s ringing a bell, but it’s the giant illuminated replica of the liberty bell in right field, not the cowbell that Will Ferrell rang on the famous SNL skit. The Phillies now sit merely one game back in both the wild card and division races with only one series remaining after tonight’s matchup with the Braves. Here is why come Sunday, the town will be wearing red instead of Eagles green.

The Phils will finish the season with a three game set against the lowly Nationals who have helped us out of late sweeping the Mets. Cole Hamels, Adam Eaton, and Jamie Moyer will finish out the season. For those who are scared by the last two names; you have every right to be. Despite the inconsistency of each of these pitchers, they’re coming off harmless performances. Eaton won his last start which was against the Nats, going five innings and allowing three runs on five hits. Moyer’s last start didn’t end up so well as the Phils dropped the first game of the Braves series despite some controversy. In the first inning Moyer appeared to have struck out Mark Teixeira but home plate umpire C.B. Bucknor ruled the pitch outside of his 2 square inch strike zone allowing Teixeira to belt a three-run homer on the next pitch.

The Fightin’ Phils are 10-5 against Washington this season and the bats have shown up down the stretch as the Phillies eye their first playoff berth in 14 years. The Mets are crumbling under pressure and the Phillies are red hot. So before you get too hyped up about the Eagles/Giants divisional matchup Sunday night, keep in mind that you may be a little pre-occupied making plans for playoff baseball tickets.