2012 Phillies: Annointing of the Six Games Out With Six to Play

The 2012 Phillies needed to play really, really incredible baseball down the stretch to have any hope at a playoff spot. They didn't. And now, it's all but over. The Phillies now sit six games behind the Cardinals for the second wild card spot, and both teams have six to play.

As the legendary schmenkman pointed out, the Phillies need to win out and hope everyone on the Cardinals, Dodgers, and Brewers comes down the SARS. And that's just for the privilege of a play-in game to get into the play-in game.

So, they're not dead, but they smell awfully funny.

What to watch for over these last six games:

1. Does Darin Ruf get most of the starts in left field? Will be play against right handed pitching?

2. Will the Chase Utley to third base experiment get a road test?

3. Will Roy Halladay pitch? (probably)

4. Can the Phillies avoid their first losing record since 2002, and their first sub-80 win season since 2000?

Some sad questions, unfathomable a year ago as the team was riding high into the National League Division Series after 102 wins. It's been downhill from there.

Happy days, everyone.