@Philabaseball
The Phillies have an opportunity to hit the elusive .500 mark with a victory this afternoon over the hapless Miami Marlins.
Thanks to John Mayberry Jr. and his extra inning heroics last night, the club has a chance for a three-game sweep before heading out on an important nine-game road trip with stops in Milwaukee, Minnesota, and Colorado.
The Phillies have been within a game of .500 nine times already this season.
"We're going to be trying like [heck] to get it this time," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.
Hitting the .500 mark is the first of several things that need to happen before anyone can consider the Phillies as any type of threat in the National League.
Having said that, with the electric still flowing through Citizens Bank Park thanks to last night's win, a loss today would be a major disappointment.
The Phillies face seven opponents throughout the rest of June. Combined, those clubs are 37 games below .500 with the Rockies being the only team with a winning record.
The next three weeks are crucial in determining the Phillies' future plans and it all begins with today's contest against the Marlins.
It may just be a single game, but in the larger context of a season today's match-up with the Marlins may be the most meaningful game all year.
- Patrick Gordon is the Managing Editor of the Philadelphia Baseball Review. Follow him on Twitter @Philabaseball or contact him at pgordon@philadelphiabaseballreview.com.
