by Nick Carroll

The last time I sat down to write, I remember typing with pure anger.  For seemingly the 100^th straight game, the Phillies struggled mightily offensively the night before, barely escaping St. Louis with a win and it was the familiar faces that were letting me down.

Now, as I reflect, I feel blind.  With Placido Polanco’s 11^th inning home run, the ice had been broken. The stage had been set. We’ve been waiting all year for this team to realize it’s go time, and that there is not enough season left to continue the slide. Well, it’s go time.

In two months, when the Phils are back where they should be, right in the thick of it, we will point to Polanco’s shot down the left field line, as well as Milt Thompson’s firing that lit the fire for the turn around

Also, for the record, I’m not there everyday, I don’t know how good or bad Thompson has been doing, but sometimes a change is needed just as a wake up call, and that may be what this provided.

The following night, the team was running on all cylinders for the first time in months. Doc finally got some run support from Raul Ibanez, who is suddenly red hot, and the offense was back to, as Wheels would put it, putting up crooked numbers.

Another development over the weekend was Jimmy Rollins getting back to being the spark plug that the Phillies need him to be. I’ve heard many people describe Chase Utley as the heart of the Phillies. If that’s the case, Rollins is the soul. When he’s going, this team has its swagger, and right now that swagger is back.

In addition to those two, the Phils are getting contributions from the bench. Ben Francisco, Brian Schneider and Ross Gload, all of whom have struggled at the plate for much of the year, contributed to the sweep of the Rockies.  

This team effort led to the demolition of Ubaldo Jimenez, a clutch comeback win after finally breaking through with runners in scoring position and getting to Jason Hammel just like the old days. People, if this weekend was an indicator, the offense is back. In addition, with series against the lowly Diamondbacks and Nationals coming up, it shouldn’t be going anywhere.

On top of the offensive resurgence, the Phillies’ pitching woes seem to be much more manageable than before the winning streak.

Cole Hamels started the streak with a brilliant one-hit gem against the sweet-swinging Cardinals, looking like the pitching that almost single-handedly took the Phils to the promise land in 2008.

Roy Halladay got back on track after a rough start against the Cubs, baffling the Rockies for eight dominant innings.

Kyle Kendrick picked up a quality start on Saturday, never allowing Colorado back in the game after being spotted an early lead. The righty now has posted a 3.85 ERA since the month of April. Despite many criticisms and even a demotion to AAA, Kendrick has proven to be a major league-quality pitcher in the past 3 months. He is not the Phils’ biggest concern (more on that in a bit).

Even Joe Blanton looked much better today, working out of numerous jams and keeping the ball on the ground leading to a few double plays. Blanton is traditionally a slow starter. After getting a late start to the season, Blanton may finally be rounding into form, which could pay major dividends for the Phils down the stretch.

This past weekend may prove to be a major milestone in the season for the Phils. With an easy schedule coming up and hot bats for the first time in months, the Phils will continue putting pressure on the Braves.

Let’s look at the big picture–3.5 games isn’t much. Chase Utley could be back in two weeks and Ruben Amaro will most likely find some sort of upgrade to replace J.A. Happ (whose 2010 season is starting to feel like a wash). It’s that time of the year again. The same one the Phillies have thrived in and dominated for the past three seasons. It’s go time.