CHICAGO -- Phillies manager Pete Mackanin is attempting to keep the mood light during his club's recent tough stretch.
From Mackanin's perspective, players who approach the day in a positive manner are naturally going to be more competitive. And as the Phillies looked to change their ways in the final game of a four-game series Thursday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Mackanin's players were attempting to follow their manager's lead.
Phillies left fielder Aaron Altherr said he appreciates Mackanin's efforts to keep the mindset right.
"It's baseball and things are going to happen," Altherr said before Thursday's game.