Phillies find themselves 1 GB after 5th straight win

The Atlanta Braves are looking in their rear view mirror only to find a not so familiar foe riding their bumper. Sure, the Phillies were expected to not only contend in the NL East, but were the favorite to win the division once again. But these aren't those same Phillies. Injuries to every key player on the team not named Roy Halladay or Cole Hamels have forced the Phillies to find a new identity.

They have. The team is receiving contributions from different players every day. Placido Polanco has been an excellent acquisition for the team. He's the rock they needed. He doesn't go into prolonged slumps. Polanco just produces, at the plate and in the field, every day. He and Halladay share the team MVP award to this point. Along with Polanco, countless players are propelling this team to victory. Carlos Ruiz is red hot, Wilson Valdez has been a pleasant surprise, Raul Ibanez is on fire, Rollins continues to play Gold Glove shortstop, Domonic Brown has a cannon for an arm and provides a spark, Ross Gload strings together quality at bat after quality at bat and seems to hit everything hard and recent acquisition Mike Sweeney produced in last night's victory over the Mets.

The pitching is coming around and the team is consistently playing good baseball. They've won 13 of their last 15 games; an astounding number that's propelled them into position to wrestle the lead in the NL East away from the Braves.

While the Florida Marlins have already faded out of contention in the division, partially thanks to a Phillies' sweep this week, the Phils have a chance to push the Mets to the brink of falling out of contention as well if they stay hot the next two days. Their task will be tough of course, with Johan Santana on the mound tonight and knuckleballer R.A Dickey pitching tomorrow. Of course, the Phillies are sending Hamels and Halladay to the mound.

It should be an interesting weekend. August has been kind to the Phillies thus far as they've failed to lose a game during the month. Phillies fans may be able to check the standings tomorrow morning and find the Fightins tied for first place.