In 1964, Philadelphia Phillies fans witnessed one of baseball's greatest collapses when their beloved Phils blew a six and a half game lead with 12 games to play. The meltdown was even more dramatic than the 2007 Mets, who squandered a seven game lead with 17 games remaining.
That fall in '64, the Phillies and their fans rode a wave of confidence and momentum right up to the door of the postseason. Philadelphians were so sure the Fightins would play in October that Philadelphia's mayor famous proclaimed that "blue snow" would fall in Philadelphia before the Phillies lost the pennant.
The rest was history, and an unpleasant one for the Phillies faithful.
Monday night, the Atlanta Braves won their seventh straight to move within two games of the wildcard-leading Colorado Rockies. That's been the story everyone is focused on but the Bravos also cut the Phillies NL East lead to four. With just six games left, Atlanta overtaking Philadelphia would be a tremendous longshot. But mathematically, it could happen and both teams are moving in the directions it would require to make it possible.
The Phillies pitching is faltering at the wrong time. Their bullpen has been shaky all year and now their starting pitching has become somewhat suspect. Midseason acquisition Cliff Lee has struggled in his most recent starts and ace Cole Hamels has felt the effects of 2008's increased workload this season.
Meanwhile the Braves have won 14 of 16 and are enjoying some of baseball's best starting pitching. Even with their mediocre offense, the Braves pitching is so exceptional that it has carried the team. It remains a tremendous longshot for the Braves to overtake Philadelphia, but it's still possible. Anything can happen and baseball and the NL East race bears watching.
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