Arizona, after all, is this year's come-out-of-nowhere team, shocking the world by being in first place at the top of the stretch run, trying to build on a fragile lead. The Phillies have a comfortable margin and would have to self-immolate to keep from capturing the division yet again. Heck, they would have to stumble badly to keep from setting a franchise record for wins.
Even the most recent sellout crowd seemed to be more jazzed about seeing the rescheduled dedication of the Harry Kalas statue in Ashburn Alley and picking up their giveaway Placido Polanco bobbleheads than breaking down What It All Means against the team the Phillies would meet in the first round if the season ended today.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and manager Charlie Manuel rarely miss an opportunity to remind everyone, including the players in the clubhouse and quite possibly themselves, that nothing becomes official until all other contenders are mathematically eliminated.
Which is true, of course, except for that by now it sort of goes in one ear and out the other, kind of like when parents are always telling the kids to do their homework before watching television.
That the Phillies let one get away in a 3-2 loss to the Diamondbacks was disappointing to those in attendance and watching or listening from afar. But, hey, stuff happens.
Not that there weren't portents throughout the day, little clues left scattered about even before the game started that were subtle reminders of how thin the line between success and failure can be.
There was Polanco, 90 minutes before the first pitch, revealing that he'd be going on the disabled list because of the sports hernia that's kept him sidelined since Aug. 6. That came not long after Amaro sat on the bench and said that the third baseman was much improved and might even start tonight.
