Charlie Manuel thinks he knows what it will take for the Phillies to scratch their way back into contention in the NL East.
Twelve out of 16.
I'm not kidding. The skipper laid out his plan before last night's opener of the three-game set in Pittsburgh, after which the Phils return to Citizens Bank Park for 10 games that take them up to the All-Star break.
Sorry, Charlie. I don't think there's any chance in hell the Phillies - a team whose best streak so far this year is five straight wins, after which they of course dropped five in a row - is capable of playing at that level.
But at least they got off to a good start last night, snapping the Bucs' nine-game winning streak and pinning a 3-1 defeat on the team with the best record in baseball.
The Phils got another decent effort from rookie starter Jonathan Pettibone and sterling work for a change from their bullpen, including Justin DeFratus getting a crucial strikeout with the bases loaded.
But 12 out of 16?
I don't think so.
What the Phillies do in these next 15 games likely will determine whether they will be sellers or buyers as the trade deadline looms at the end of the month.
They did get an unexpected break last night when Pittsburgh pulled starter Jeff Locke, and his 7-1 record. He'll be on the mound tonight.
If the Phillies can beat a very good left-hander, it might be a sign that they are ready to make a streak.
That's the challenge for Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and the Phils' bats.
I'll believe it when I see it.
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