Not necessarily disagreeing, but at some point the Phillies just need to make a significant upturn. We talk about the bullpen struggles, but then hear "it's better than last year - we would have taken a playoff spot with this bullpen last year!"
When we have heartbreaking losses like last night, we hear 'it's only one game of 162!" Is it really, though? They had just put together their first win streak above one game since the opening series this year, and then suffer that kind of setback against the team many think the favorite for the pennant this year.
These setbacks can be candy-coated with wise-sounding statements, but in the end the team needs to show a spark that takes them a level up from where they've performed the past three seasons.
All of that vented, it is of course possible we still see it this year... last night was only one of 162. 
