COLUMN Homestand Will Make or Break Phils

From Adam Barrist's "Scraps From the Plate," Fall '95 Although the New York team that the Phillies faced last week was hardly the Amazin' Mets of 1969, sweeping a four-game series was still a major step forward. And winning two out of three in Busch stadium where the Cardinals always seem to pull something out of their hat is definitely worth writing home about. Yes, it is only the end of June. The season isn't even half over, and anything can happen. But the Phillies have not ascended to 37-18 with their marquee players in the lineup. A number of players have been injured during the streak, and will soon return to further boost the squad. Absent during the road trip was first baseman Dave Hollins who was placed on the disabled list with a stomach virus stemming from complications with diabetes. Leftfielder Gregg Jefferies has also been out of action with an inflamed left thumb. Centerfielder Lenny Dykstra is just returning from a back injury, though he will play in pain for the remainder of the season. In addition, recently acquired Andy Van Slyke is likely to be placed on the 15-day DL with a bruised chest. Meanwhile, some other guys have been getting it done. Without two-thirds of their starting outfield, and their starting first baseman, the Phillies have not only managed to keep their heads above water, but dominate opposing teams. Tom Marsh, who was recalled from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre has gone 11-for-31 (.355) with two homers for the big league club. You can't help but cheer for Gene Schall. He's a hometown boy from Abington, PA who went to college at Villanova.Schall has somehow managed base hits in five of his first eleven at-bats to post a lofty .417 clip early. He has the fielding range of two Hollins' or five John Kruks. It will be interesting to see what happens when Hollins returns. Possibly the most amazing is Dave Gallagher. Gallagher who was obtained during the off-season as a free agent, has stepped in for "The Dude" in center field, going 31/94 (.330). Gallagher is no flash in the pan. Hitting .330 in close to 100 at-bats is the mark of a true hitter. Where there is a legitimate chance that Schall will be the Phillies first baseman of the future, Gallagher's time with the Phillies will be most likely be spent in fill-in roles. Not a bad tool to have on the bench, eh? Until the all-stars get back, these subs must continue step up, for the Phillies face their toughest challenge of the year this week. The Phillies will host the Reds and the Braves, who have the second and third best records respectively in the National League behind the Phils. This homestand will determine how the Phillies will fare for the rest of the season. A complete disassembly of both teams would certainly put the Phillies in the driver's seat through the meat of the season, somewhere in the neighborhood of eight to nine games ahead in the N.L. East. On the other hand, a poor showing at home will put the Braves right back in the race. To beat these teams, the Phillies must get strong performances from their starting pitching, anchored by Tyler Green. Green, a rookie with seven wins to date, must continue to produce. The rest of the staff, Paul Quantrill (also with 7 wins), Curt Schilling, Michael Mimbs, and David West, who have been outstanding so far, can not let the big bats of the Reds and Braves get in their way. Run production has not been much of a problem this year, thanks in part to N.L. batting leader, Jim Eisenreich. With that in mind, the Phillies' defense should be the key in the homestand. If the pitching continues to be as effective as it has been throughout the year, the Phillies will be in good shape to make a run for it after the upcoming all star break. Besides, it's time for everyone to shut up about Avery, Glavine, Maddux and Smoltz, and start talking about Green, Mimbs, Quantrill, and Schilling. The Atlanta fans and the national media carry on about the Braves pitching staff so much that you'd think they had forgotten who won the Civil War. Seriously, if the Phillies are successful in the upcoming homestand, the nation's attention will be focused on the Phillies pitching staff. Respect is in sight. Statistics show in the last decade that teams have come from behind five games on June 27 to win the division only 10% of the time. We're at the end of June, the Phillies lead is 4 1/2 games. Come Monday, if the Phillies have taken 5-6 of the seven game homestand, don't doubt that Mayor Ed will be looking out of his office onto Broad Street, imagining a parade that will take place come October.