June 8 -- IT'S HOT!

ATLANTA -- So, from everything I hear, it's pretty steamy back home. 97 degrees today? Yikes. Sounds like a good weekend to be at the Shore (Jersey or Delaware). Better get out the sun block.

It's been sweltering here in Atlanta, too. Mid-90s. Humid. Absolutely disgusting. Then, there's the heat that's being given off by the Phillies, winners of three straight games, 11 of 13 and 14 of 18. It's a streak that's reminiscent of last September's roll, when the Phils won 13 of their last 17 games and landed in the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

So, are the Phillies hotter now than they were then?

Let's examine both streaks:

Sept. 13-30, 2007
Record: 13-4
Breakdown: 5-2 at home, 8-2 on road (1-0 vs. Colorado; 3-0 vs. Mets; 2-1 vs. St. Louis; 5-2 vs. Washington; 2-1 vs. Atlanta)
Runs scored: 102
Runs allowed: 68
Team batting average: .245 (146-for-596)
Team ERA: 3.44

May 20-June 7, 2008
Record: 14-4
Breakdown: 8-2 at home, 6-2 on road (2-0 vs. Washington; 2-2 vs. Houston; 3-0 vs. Colorado; 2-1 vs. Florida; 3-1 vs. Cincinnati; 2-0 vs. Atlanta)
Runs scored: 119
Runs allowed: 59
Team batting average: .281 (174-for-620)
Team ERA: 3.30

So, what do you think?

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Jayson Werth was activated from the disabled list yesterday, which meant a return to Class AAA for Chris Snelling. Bummer for Snelling? Certainly. But the Phillies made it clear that they value him as a depth player. My bet is that he'll accept the assignment to Lehigh Valley, and we'll see him again later this season.

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Within the MLB Sunday notes, Chipper Jones talks about his quest to bat .400. He doesn't think he can do it, but watching him over the past two nights, I see no reason why he can't. It's scary how well he's hitting the ball right now. He isn't the lineup today, though (no wonder Adam Eaton has been smiling). Chipper has a small tear in his right quadriceps, and the Braves are saying he could miss a few games.

***
By the numbers: 12 -- Pitchers used by the Phillies this season. That's the fewest in the majors.

Stay cool, and enjoy your Sunday.