Looking Up (in the standings)

For the first time since April 25, the Phillies are not in first place. They're a full game behind the Braves, who they happen to face in Atlanta for three games this weekend.

The Phils have had a lousy June, which has included injuries to Andrew McCutchen, his replacement, Adam Haseley, and reliever Seranthony Dominguez. They're 5-6 this month and have been shut out twice. And Vince Velasquez ate a baseball (see above).

The offense remains inconsistent. You have to hope manager Gabe Kapler moves Cesar Hernandez out of the leadoff spot. You see, I come to bury Cesar, not to praise him. Since replacing McCutchen there on June 5, Hernandez is an absolutely brutal 3 for 27 with 3 walks, good for a .130 batting average and a .226 OBP. He's been terrible for the last 30 games, slashing .221/.273/.389. He needs to be buried deep, deep, deep into the lineup until he starts to hit again. He was hitting .310 on May 20 and his average has plummeted down to .264.

This is a big weekend for the Phils. Sweep the Braves and they're 2 games ahead. Get swept and they're 4 games back. This series marks the first of 24 straight games with division opponents, with 16 of them on the road. They need to get their act together and quickly.