Are You Surprised by the 2005 Phils So Far?

I was talking with Matt over at the opponent dujour’s blog, Metsblog.com.  And in typical Mets fan fashion, he mentioned how he was surprised to see the Phillies still around in the playoff hunt.  I responded with a resounding no.  The Phils are hovering at 10 games above .500, that is basically what I’ve expected since Spring Training.  The fact that they are still in the playoff hunt – nay, ahead in the playoff hunt! – is a testament to the rest of the NL teams’ inability to breakaway.  That is somewhat of a surprise.  The Marlins and Astros have not been able to pull it together and thus the Mets and Nats are hanging around as well. 

Now, Ed Wade, as we all know, likes to characterize the squad as a playoff caliber team.  Lucky for him, that’s all relative.  So that may have been a calculated statement.  Hmmm….

There’s still a good chance the Phils can make the playoffs without being a great team.  We’ll see, I doubt the Phils will run away with the Wild Card or, dare I say, division.  But I do feel they will be in it til the end.  Even with all the division play, it seems no one team will emerge.  This obviously plays to the advantage of the Astros who are out of the division.

So, are you surprised the Phils are where they are now?

At this exact moment, they are 4-1 up on the Mets and Charlie Manuel has already hit his showers or at least one of those shower seats.  Kenny Lofton was nailed at home on a close play but it seems his foot was hovering above the base.  I would love to ask him if 5 years ago he would have been safe standing up.  Or if he would not have misplayed that ball in center and let Victor Diaz stroll into 3rd.  This road trip has certainly exposed Lofton as a defensive liability.

UPDATE: At this exact moment, the Phils just lost the game.  Uggie served up a three run homer in the eight and the Phils lose a game they had in hand.  I want to puke.  Is it me or did the Mets seem to want it more?  I hope not.