The Braves Didn’t Know What Hit ‘em

By Scott Butler
Updated: September 23, 2010

Before we really hit the stretch run, I feel it is important to reflect on what the Phillies have accomplished to take a five game lead on the Atlanta Braves.

I was listening to the radio and Scott Franske pointed out just how far the Phillies have come. On July 22 the Phillies were 7 games back of the Atlanta Braves and sat in third place in the NL East.

Yet now the Braves find themselves 3 back of the Phillies. Since their 7 game lead the Atlanta Braves have gone 28-25. That’s not exactly a terrible record, but the Braves may not have been prepared for the freight train heading their way.

Photo in Tribute of Braves Manager Bobby Cox by Icon SMI

That record isn’t quite good enough when the team following you goes 38-15. That’s right, the Phillies have played 23 games above .500 since July 22. That makes for a .717 winning percentage. Work that over an entire season and you get 116 wins.

We have become accustomed to streaks like that with Charlie Manuel‘s teams, but that is pretty ridiculous.