I don't believe in superstition. Never have. Never will. So I'll just say it: Sometime in the next few weeks, the Phillies are going to win the NL East for the third time in a row.
The big question is when. Right now, the Phils have 17 games left and are 7.5 up on the Braves and 8 up on the Marlins. Here are the remaining schedules for each team:
Phillies: at Braves (3), at Marlins (3), at Brewers (4), Astros (4), Marlins (3)
Marlins: at Reds (3), Phillies (3), Mets (3), at Braves (3), at Phillies (3)
Braves: Phillies (3), at Mets (3), at Nationals (3), Marlins (3), Nationals (4)
The Phils' magic number stands at 10 for the Braves and 9 for the Marlins. So when do they clinch?
My prediction is they clinch on the last day of their 10-game road trip -- in Milwaukee on Sunday the 27th. I'd love for it to happen a day later at home on Monday the 28th against the Astros, or better yet Tuesday the 29th when I'll be at the game, but I don't think it'll take that long. (Nor would that be a good thing, as we all know the Phillies can't beat the Astros.)
What's your prediction?