With one inning left, there’s a chance the Phillies scrubs could keep the Braves from the playoffs. Currently sporting a lineup that is without Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Ruiz, and Placido Polanco, the Phillies gnawed away at the Braves six-run lead in the 7th and 8th innings. The suddenly hot Ben Francisco and Wilson Valdez (he of the .258 batting average) knocked in five runs in the process. Brad Lidge is on for some work in the bottom of the 8th, having already put two runners on with one out.
There’s a million different scenarios involving the NL West and Wild Card, but the simple fact is if the Braves lose today, they will have to go to a one-game playoff to enter postseason baseball. With the Padres and Giants just underway in San Fran, this is something to keep an eye on while the Eagles game is on.