The Field of Dreams Game on Thursday is expected to be a fun and exciting atmosphere filled with nostalgia and glee. Unfortunately, when the game actually begins, the tepid Philadelphia Phillies will be contrasted with the playoff-surging Minnesota Twins. That feeling of optimism has blown over recently, with a recurring dark cloud hovering over this expensive mess of a ball club right now. The Phillies have gone back to their scuffling ways and will be talked about in a much different light in a matter of hours on national television. In swift fashion, they've gone from a playoff lock to being on the outside looking in.
The Phillies are still missing that elusive World Series trophy in arguably the third-best run in the franchise's history. They're trying to make it five straight postseason appearances. That's a feat of its own, but their odds have plummeted significantly since the All-Star break. They were anything but a shoo-in early in the season, but Phillies fans are getting a hard dose of reality despite appearing for a historic game in Dyersville, IA.
Phillies have realistic chance of missing the playoffs heading into Field of Dreams Game
According to Underdog MLB projections, the Phillies have lost 19 percent in playoff odds since the All-Star break. In the 25 games since the All-Star Game was hosted in the city of brotherly love, the Phillies have a 10-15 record and have lost six of eight series played. They still hold a 68 percent chance to get into the postseason (in Underdog's estimation), but this team feels so different from the teams of the last few years. At this point in the season, the Phillies of just a few years ago were building separation as a postseason favorite and leaving no doubt on their chances of playing October baseball.
With their continued bit of scoring one run or fewer in both losses of the series in St. Louis, the Phillies show a lack of killer instinct. If the season were to end today, they would miss the playoffs entirely. The club's breathing room is, at the time, relying on tiebreakers just to make it in.
Who knows what will happen for the rest of this Phillies season? To their credit, tonight caps a 14th straight day of games for them with an expected showing of smiles for the Field of Dreams Game for a team that just isn't winning right now. Aaron Nola will be taking the mound, and for what it's worth, he hasn't been the worst thing going for them recently with a 4.28 ERA over his last seven starts. The Phillies just have to look at it as another game and simply hope they don't embarrass themselves with the playoffs still in their sights.
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