They haven't clinched anything, and the last-place Nationals, in jeopardy of losing 100 games, always play them tough, even winning two of three games in Washington earlier this month. But unlike in the past two seasons, the Phillies' playoff chances don't rest with the Mets completing another September collapse or the Cubs knocking off the Brewers at Wrigley Field.

Win, and the Phillies are in.

It's that simple.

"At this time of year, you can't afford to lose two or three games in a row," manager Charlie Manuel said. "(Losing) two in a row puts us in a different position than we were two days ago. But we're alive. We've been there before. It's all up to us."

Translation: Don't panic.

But while there's not yet cause to sound the alarms, the Phillies would do themselves a big favor by securing their place in the playoffs before Sunday. If they're able to tie a bow on it before Sunday, ace left-hander Cole Hamels can pitch only a few stress-free innings -- or, perhaps, not at all -- in the series finale, enabling him to start Game 1 on Wednesday. (Hamels also would be aligned to start a decisive Game 5, if necessary).

If the Phillies are facing a do-or-die scenario Sunday, Hamels wouldn't be available again until at least Game 3 the following Saturday, forcing them to send suddenly struggling right-hander Brett Myers -- and his 15.12 ERA in his last two starts -- to the mound for Game 1.

And since merely making the playoffs doesn't qualify as a successful season for a Phillies team with loftier goals, being able to set their rotation would go a long way toward helping them win the best-of-five NL Division Series.

"We're fine," Myers said of himself and the Phillies. "We just have to win. We've said that from the beginning. If we take care of our business, we'll be fine."