Over the years, this is a team that has usually played better on paper than on the field. In 2006, the expectations were somewhat lower than in the previous couple of years, with most analysts figuring the New York Mets or Atlanta Braves to win the division and the Phillies to finish second or third. And second seemed a lofty enough perch to aspire to for a team that had gotten rid of slugging but oft-injured first baseman Jim Thome — even if it was to let second-year man Ryan Howard play full-time — and let closer Billy Wagner go to the Mets, replacing him with the aging Tom Gordon.

“Flash” was available because the Yankees didn’t think he was a championship-quality set-up man any more, and here the Phillies were giving him a three-year contract and making him a closer, with the well-traveled Arthur Rhodes installed as set-up man.

With all those changes, the biggest criticism of the lineup Gillick cobbled together was the lack of a stud starting pitcher. It’s a criticism that remains valid today. Brett Myers, who carries a 3.94 ERA and has won two of every three decisions, may become that man.

Back in July, Gillick was being realistic. The team hadn’t done anything but disappoint. Why not junk it?

The wonder is that the message didn’t get through to the team. Instead of giving the remaining core of young stars a reason to give up, it inspired them to show their own general manager that he was wrong about what they could do.

“I think this will motivate the guys who are still here,” Chase Utley said the day after the July 31 trade deadline. “I believe we still have a very strong team. We have 58 games to go. There’s still a lot of baseball.”

The line was worth a few chuckles back then. The Phillies lost the last game in July, 15-2 to the Florida Marlins. Their record was 49-55. Their prospects were measured in negative numbers.

They had started the season that way, losing their first four games and six of their first seven. But on the last day of April, they began a winning streak that would run to nine straight and 13 of 14, so that on May 14 they were seven games above .500 and for a brief shining moment, breathing down the first-place Mets’ necks.

Slideshow   Week in Sports Pictures A boxing champ celebrates, a kicker regrets, fans mourn a hero, and much more. more photos

It went downhill from there. From June 13-28, they went 2-13 and set the stage for Gillick’s July fire sale. But they won the day after the trade deadline and won the three games after that. Since Aug. 1, they’re 32-19.

That’s a .627 winning percentage.

They’re still just eight games above .500 and can’t win even 90 games. But the Dodgers are, too, and whichever team wins more games over the final six will be playing in October, when everyone’s record is reset to 0-0.

I think they’ll do it, but even if they don’t, it will have been a great September ride for Philadelphia — and for baseball.

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Handicapping the Halladay chase Blyleven: Pitching to be had beyond Halladay DeMarco: Red Sox should take measured approach CTB: A prediction — Lackey will sign with Yankees   CTB: Indians unlikely to deal Wood this offseason   CTB: Mets could be interested in Royals’ Guilllen Complete list of free agents Circling the Bases: Blogging on news, rumors, buzz SCORES, SCHEDULES, STANDINGS, STATS Latest baseball videos Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: