Morning Wood: Limp

Uh ohs?

The prevailing subplot for much of this season has been: How will the Phillies handle meaningless September games?

Will they back into the playoffs, like so many other teams with best records have done before? Or will this group of veterans keep up their high level of play and be unfazed by a dozen exhibition games to end the season?

So far, we’re not liking the answer. The Phillies lost last night, 4-3.

In their last 10 games, the Phillies are 4-6, and have scored the following runs: 2, 1, 2, 1, 3, 2, 2, 9 (division, yo), 0, 3. That’s 2.5 runs per game, including their nine run outburst on Saturday. Removing that game, the average drops to 1.7 runs per game. 

Not good, Scoob.

Neither of those outputs are going to win anything. Not even the Phillies' league leading 3.23 runs given up per game can overcome miserable totals like that.

To be fair, we are dealing with a small sample size, made up of games that essentially mean nothing. Sure, the games in Houston counted, but once the Braves and Brewers series finished, clinching the division was all but a formality. Plus, let’s face it, they’ve played the last two games with a champagne-stenched locker room. That's the sports equivalent of trying to study in a college apartment with beer-stained carpets. You want to be a good student, but the smell of last night's Beast Light (and the resulting memory of your triple-kiss with Tina and Colleen from Tri-Delts) proves difficult to ignore. You shut the book and start playing video games.

Still, the cause for concern is there (we're back to the Phillies now). Even Roy and Cole look affected by the September doldrums. Charlie talks about. Video via Ryan Lawrence of the Delco Times:

The Phillies also clinched home field advantage last night. Tough times.