Nick Swisher says the Phillies would not be two games away from a World Series title if they had kept Joe Girardi ... telling TMZ Sports the team's new manager, Rob Thomson, is the biggest reason for Philly's success this year.
"If it was Joe Girardi in this position," the former Big Leaguer told us, "I don't think Philly would be in this spot."
The Phils had started the season with Girardi at the end of the bench -- but put him on ice back in June after a disappointing 22-29 start.