Phillies Resume Hunt For Red October: Philly Sports Chatter

PHILADELPHIA, PA —The quest has returned. The thirst is back. The hunger. The pursuit. The chase.

Use whatever word you want, but the Philadelphia Phillies are resuming the Hunt for Red October against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park Tuesday night.

These Wild Card series are fast, just three games.

But it's a chance for the Phillies to show their mettle, to push the pedal, and to go after that elusive World Series ring that slipped through their fingers against the Houston Astros last year.

Of course, everyone will argue that the team had no business being there.

But you have to get in to win and the Phillies caught fire and then team chemistry sparked to knock out the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, and San Diego Padres before eventually losing to the Astros.

This team has that same chemistry. It's the same Band of Brothers with a few stronger additions.

And though not as crazy as the 1993 Phillies led by Darren Daulton, Mitch Williams, and John Kruk, these Phillies are a tight bunch that has once again captured the hearts of Philly fans.

Trea Turner, the free agent shortstop booed mercifully for a slump that lasted half a year, got a standing ovation from fans that turned his season around. He's now beloved.

So is Bryce Harper, who returned from injury, took a glove to play first base, and took his spot as the leader of this team, the one who sets the example of a team that plays with just as much heart as their fanbase.

Kyle Schwarber is a thumper. Forget the batting average. The man can knock the cover off a baseball and has set records once again for dingers in back-to-back years.

It's been a while since the Phillies made the playoffs in back-to-back years. They also made it to the World Series in back-to-back years, falling to the New York Yankees in 2009 after winning the whole enchilada the year before.

It's possible. And with the playoffs, anything is possible.

Like REO Speedwagon once again, you've got to ride the storm out. And that storm starts with the Marlins, a team that put together a solid season with sound pitching. But these Marlins can be beaten.

The same goes for the Braves.

The winner of the Wild Card round faces those Bravos. Yes, they'll be angry that the Phillies pulled off the upset last year. And if Ronald Acuna Jr. has anything to say about it, then it might be a long series.

But that's too far ahead right now.

You need to start this hunt with a nuclear submarine —just like in the movie —against the Marlins and not a fishing rod.

It only takes two wins. How about Tuesday and Wednesday?