The last time the Phillies met Florida, the Fish wrapped a series win, taking two out of three at Citizens Bank Park on Sept. 10. But since the Marlins were 8 1/2 games back of the division, All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla basically waived the white flag.

"Our chances are pretty slim-to-none right now about getting into the postseason, so anybody we can take down with us, we're going to have a little bit of extra effort," Uggla said. "If we ain't going, we don't want anybody else to go."

Nine days later, the Phils and Marlins meet again... and the Fish aren't exactly dead. They're actually the hottest team in baseball, winners of eight straight.

The Phils have won seven in a row. Someone has to lose, right?

With three games against the Phillies this weekend, the Marlins - who enter 5 1/2 games back - are basically in the same position the Phils entered last weekend against Milwaukee. They have a golden opportunity to gain ground.

Are the Fish dead?

"They’re not out of nothing yet. Five games out That can still be made up," said Phils manager Charlie Manuel, whose team has nine games remaining entering Friday. "You don’t take anything for granted. I remember one time we were in Charlotte with a four or five game lead with 10 to play, someone asked me if I’m comfortable I said I’d be comfortable when we had a 10 game lead with nine to play."