It really, really might be happening.

Hot on the heels of the New York Mets Bullpen Collapse: Episode XVII, wherein the Mets coughed up yet another late inning lead, losing 7-6 after leading the Braves 4-2 in the top of the 8th, the Philadelphia Phillies closed out the season series with the Florida Marlins in Miami with yet another tense Brad Lidge save.  The Phillies extended their division lead over the Mets to 1 1/2 games, with the Milwaukee Brewers keeping pace in the Wild Card hunt by beating the Cincinnati Reds this afternoon, 8-1.

This series victory for all meaningful purposes took the insurgent Marlins out of the hunt for the division title, and put severe damper on their Cinderella push for the Wild Card.

Good.

The Phillies will hold no worse than a one game lead over the Mets going into Tuesday's action.  The Mets begin a four game series against the NL Central champion Chicago Cubs on Monday night in New York.  The Phillies start a three gamer with the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday Monday in Philadelphia.

If the Phillies are gonna win this thing, the sooner they clinch, the better.  Most (all?) of these arms need some rest.  Let's just say I have tickets to next Sunday's season finale, and I hope Kyle Kendrick is pitching.

 EDIT: Thanks, you're right EastFallowfield, no day off until Thursday.  Darn.