The Phillies Magic Number is now 3.

Unfortunately there continues to be little magic in their bullpen.

Pressed into service again yesterday after Joe Blanton ran into trouble in the sixth, the bullpen again delivered a serious case of nail-biting to Philly fans who moved down the dial after watching a laugher with the Eagles blowing out the Chiefs.

It appeared for a while as if the Phils might do the same to the Brewers, rolling to a 6-1 lead, before Blanton faltered, and Charlie Manuel made the move to the ‘pen.

Four relievers later, it was left to Ryan Madson to record the final four outs as the Phils clung to a 6-5 lead.

Madson allowed a double to Cecil Fielder, who eventually reached third, putting the tying run just 90 feet away, before punching out Mike Cameron on a called third strike that looked low to me.

With the Eagles now out of the picture for the next two weeks courtesy of the bye week, the Phils get a chance to come home and paint the town red again.

They have four games with the Astros and three with the Marlins.

They need any combination of three Phillies wins or losses by the Braves to take their third straight NL East crown.

But that’s not really what they’re about any more. Everyone has expected this team to be in the post-season. What fans – and the Phils as well – could use right now is a little relief.

Hey, can Kevin Kolb pitch?