D-backs vs. Mariners vs. Phillies: Misery loves company

As we went into the All-Star break on July 9, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners and Philadelphia Phillies were all set to make the playoffs. The D-backs were a game up in the NL West. The Mariners had a comfortable 6¹⁄₂ game lead over the Indians for an American League wild-card spot. And the Phillies led the NL East by a click or two from the Braves. But when the teams returned, it was as if all three had been replaced by cheap Chinese counterfeits.