It looks like the Phillies are about to turn back into pumpkins.
A week ago I wrote how we were about to find out if the Phils were for real, as they faced the tall task of 12 of their next 16 games against the first-place Cubs and Nats.
They haven't won since.
The Phils got swept in ugly fashion in Chicago, Then they returned home last night only to waste a great outing from Jeremy Hellickson with an uncharacteristic meltdown by their bullpen.
That's now four straight losses after they managed to eke out the final game of that three-game set in Detroit.
It looks like the Phils are returning to Earth - with a thud. Losing six of your last seven games will do that.
They continue to struggle mightily offensively.
Last night reliever Hector Neris, who has been one of the standouts at the back end of games, allowed three runs as the Nats roared back to win, 4-3.
Then there is the Ryan Howard dilemma.
My rule with Howard, as it was with Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley is simple. Don't hold your breath waiting for me to boo them.
The reason is simple. They gave us a parade.
Still, Mackanin continues to move away from his struggling first baseman. Sunday Tommy Joseph got the start, despite the fact that a right-handed pitcher was on the hill for the Cubs.
Yesterday, back at Citizens Bank Park, Howard was back in the starting lineup against another right-hander. Howard went 1-for-4 and is now hitting an anemic .157.
It likely will cost the Phillies $10 million to part ways with the one-time All-Star slugger first baseman.
It might be approaching that time.
Just as the clock appears to be striking midnight, and the Cinderella story of the Phils turns back into a pumpkin.
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