ATLANTA - The Phillies' bid to make the postseason is almost over and they have no one to blame for that but themselves.
They were in control of the National League East, up 1½ games in the division on Aug. 5 then proceeded to lose 25 of their next 40. That put them on life support when they arrived at SunTrust Park on Thursday night to take on the first-place Atlanta Braves in the first of four games.
The Phillies' pulse is even weaker after an 8-3 loss to the Braves (see first take).