Do or die? Almost certainly. After squandering an opportunity to stay close to the first place Mets by losing 2 of 3 to a ha-ha bad Washington Nationals team this week, the Phillies head into Shea for the Last Time Ever (barring an unlikely playoff arrangement) for a three game series, down by exactly three games. The series is likely to be abbreviated or somewhat jumbled, however, due to Tropical Storm Hanna, currently expected to soak the mid-Atlantic region all day and night on Saturday.
The Phillies are in a situation where they pretty much must win at least 2 of 3. A sweep would be lovely. Losing 2 or getting swept, and it's more or less time to hope C.C. Sabathia and/or Prince Fielder choke on the post-game buffet in Milwaukee, and the rest of their teammates break their arms trying to perform the Heimlich.
It'll be Brett Myers versus Mike Pelfrey. Both pitchers are doing quite well recently. With the state of the Phils' bullpen lately, we'd better hope Myers has about 8 innings in his arm tonight.