Eight is a good number in Phillies history, as we learned last year. Remember the whole "80...08" phenomenon?

Here's how eight factors into this NLCS: in the last seven Phillies playoff series, the team that wins Game 1 wins the series.


It happened in the NLCS (vs. Braves) and World Series (vs. Blue Jays) in '93, in the NLDS in '07 (vs. Rockies), in the NLDS (Brewers), NLCS (Dodgers) and World Series (Rays) in 08.

That's seven straight. One more makes eight... and in case you missed it, the Phils won Game 1 of the current NLCS out here in La-La Land.


The last time the Phils played in a postseason series and the Game 1 winner did not win the series? Back in the 1983 World Series, when Cal Ripken, Eddie Murray and Co. won four straight after losing the first game.


Maybe there is something to the magic of The Eights.