The Zo Zone

The Phillies enter June with a 26-27 record, eight games behind the New York Mets in the National League East and five games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL wild-card race.

Forget about the Mets at this point. I can't imagine them being caught.

It's time to worry about the Diamondbacks, Padres and Braves.

Can the Phillies make the postseason? Bob Ford breaks down this team nicely in today's paper.

My opinion remains unchanged: Despite the shortcomings of players like Pat Burrell and Wes Helms, this team leads the National League with 274 runs. It's second in on-base percentage (.349) and second in on-base-plus-slugging percentage (.778). Of course, they're also 5-14 against lefthanded pitchers and that's a serious concern with your two best hitters lefthanded hitters (Ryan Howard and Chase Utley) and a hitter like Burrell hitting just .180 against them. But it's the pitching that ultimately will doom this team to another October of fishing, hunting and golfing trips. The Phillies rank 13th in the National League with a 4.59 ERA. The only teams worse are Cincinnati (4.61 ERA), Colorado (4.65 ERA) and St. Louis (4.67 ERA). Those teams are a combined 23 games under .500.

Those teams have no chance to win, either.

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Almost forgot ... the Phillies lost last night, 4-3.

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The Phillies took a look at righthander Troy Percival recently. The Phillies wouldn't say if they are interested, but I take that to mean they are. Why? Because when they watched righthander Dustin Hermanson throw this winter and when lefthander Rheal Cormier became available earlier this month, the Phillies were quick to say they weren't interested. This time they're not talking.

If Percival truly does have his velocity back, the Phillies might as well roll the dice, take a shot and see what they can get from him for the next four months.

If he isn't good, release him.

If he is good, hey, bonus.