Sept. 11 -- HERE COMES THE BREW CREW

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Getting ready to head over to the Bank for the opener of -- and I don't think this is overstating -- a make-or-break four-game series against the wild card-leading Brewers. With 17 games remaining, the Phillies (79-67) are 3-1/2 games behind the Mets (82-63) in the NL East, four behind the Brewers (83-63) in the wild-card standings.

Time is running out.

Two comments that struck me after yesterday's crushing loss to the Marlins.

Charlie Manuel: "The difference is that last year we were hot and we were consistent. We could score runs, and it seemed like we had enough pitching to get through. We were very energetic and [had] life and really got after it. I think this year, when you're struggling to pitch and score runs, it's tough. We were very resilient last year. We can still do those things, but not as much as we did last year."

Brett Myers: "We have to stop pressing so much and have some fun with it. We were having fun last year. If we have fun, the wins will come. Everyone, including myself at times, is pressing so hard to make up ground in one game, instead of going out and having fun with the game and what got us here."

Does that sound like a confident team? At least the Phils won't have to contend with CC Sabathia. He pitched yesterday for Milwaukee. It's possible that he could come back Sunday on short rest, but it's hard to imagine Ned Yost making that move unless the Phillies win the first three games of the series.

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So, in naming a starter for Sunday, it appears Manuel and Rich Dubee will choose between the lesser of three evils: struggling Kyle Kendrick, inexperienced J.A. Happ, maligned Adam Eaton. Wouldn't it be nice if Carlos Carrasco, the Phillies' top prospect, was in consideration? Instead, Carrasco is home, in Venezuela, getting ready for winter ball. The ultra-conservative Phillies simply don't think he's ready for the majors yet.

Check back later today for a new audiofile, and a Brewers-Phillies series preview.