It could be my pessimism shining through, but I keep getting more bad vibes about this weekend's Phillies games and their chances for the postseason.

Perhaps it has to do with both the Mets and Brewers winning games Thursday night on walk-off hits, with the Mets rallying from a 6-3, 7th-inning deficit to nip the Cubs.

Then there's also the fact the Washington Nationals, the Phils' opponent to close out the season, plays them as tough as anyone in the league. And then there's the pressure the Phillies will face as they hold their post-season fate in their hands.

All 3 teams play at home this weekend and, of course, the Phillies have the easiest opponent as the Nationals sit on 99 losses -- which strengthens those bad vibes.

I hope I'm wrong and on Monday the Phillies are ready to play the Cubs or Dodgers in the National League Division Series.

Take me out to the ball game

Take me out with the crowd;

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack...

Most everyone knows those words to "Take Me Out to The Ball Game," which was written 100 years ago this month.

But Mr. Peanut and his friends were not welcome at last Friday night's Reading Phillies game as First Energy Stadium in Reading became a "peanut-free zone."

It was Food Allergy Awareness Night at the game, so peanuts were not sold and an entire section of the stadium was reserved for fans with peanut allergies.

Watching baseball without peanuts is like watching a Thanksgiving parade without the giant balloons. Thousands of fans were denied the enjoyment of eating peanuts while watching the game. And those who were allergic to peanuts had their own section, so why did the rest of us have to suffer?

As a mild form of protest, a few of us changed the line of the song to "Buy me some Twizzlers and Cracker Jack." It just doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?