"I think with pitchers like Hamels and Halladay, I think you get into September and you kind of find your groove and location," Brewers manager Ken Macha said. "Everything mechanically kind of clicks together. As the year goes on, your delivery is there. You know where the ball is going. I think that's big."
There are other statistics that suggest a strong finish for the Phillies, who began Saturday one game behind Atlanta in the NL East. Since the 2007 season, the Phillies lead all NL teams in wins and winning percentage in September with a 54-32 record and .628 winning percentage.
"We do have guys who step up and it seems like at the end of the year they come on strong and give you that push and get you into the playoffs and the World Series," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.
The Phils began Saturday's game 41-25 at home this season.
Pitchers called up
After the game, the Phillies announced they would call up three pitchers from triple-A Lehigh Valley: righthanders Scott Mathieson and Vance Worley and lefthander Nate Robertson.
Mathieson will be activated for Sunday's game against Milwaukee. Worley and Robertson will be activated Monday. Although there were indications Worley would make his first start in the majors Monday, Manuel said, "We haven't decided on it yet."
The Phillies need an extra starter because of their day-night doubleheader against Florida. Worley was pulled after one scoreless inning in his start Friday for triple-A Lehigh Valley, implying the Phillies wanted him rested for Monday.
Oswalt is scheduled to pitch one of the games.
Worley struck out two Rockies in a one-inning stint July 24. A third-round pick in 2008, he has a 3.36 ERA in 27 double- and triple-A starts.
Home field important
Despite the Phillies' postseason experience, Manuel made it clear winning the division is a priority so his team could have a shot at home-field advantage in the NLDS.
"Getting in [the playoffs] is the biggest deal, but winning the division, you get the chance for home-field advantage, and to me that's a bigger deal," he said. "I'd say every team in baseball feels like it has a home-field advantage, even if they've got a good road record."
Extra bases
For the first time since 1982, the Phillies have won five games by a 1-0 score. . . . Hamels has pitched in four 1-0 games and is 2-2.
Contact staff writer Ray Parrillo at 215-854-2743
or rparrillo@phillynews.com.
