The Phillies' reality

This is the challenge the Phillies face late in the first decade of the 21st century:

The Eagles, coming off a season in which their franchise QB suffered a serious injury for the third time in five years, have just begun training camp.

The Phillies, coming off a three-game home sweep of the Pirates, are 3.5 games behind the Mets in the NL East and 1.5 games behind the D'back in the wild card race.

Yet it's hard to say which one is more interesting. If I had to pick, Eagles camp would likely win out.

It's not that the Phillies aren't exciting to watch (especially if you consider screaming at your TV exciting) it's that their seasons of late have more twists and turns than your stomach while Jose Mesa is on the mound. Just when you're sure they're finished, when you've sworn off them until next season and asked, "So, who's starting at outside linebacker this year?" to no one in particular, the Phillies win eight of nine ... and you're drawn, helplessly, back into the season. Back into hoping the Mets will lose and the Phils will gain another game. Back into thinking maybe, just maybe, this will be year they finally get back to the playoffs, that magical nectar of which fans merely sipped 13 long years ago.

Now begins the real test for a bunch of also-rans. Chicago, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Florida and other menacing lineups await, with Utley (and now Madson) on the shelf, the bullpen still shaky and some guy named J.D. Durbin starting every fifth game.

Meanwhile, in Bethlehem, another bunch is still more than four weeks away from its first real action, and fan interest is humming.

In another month, which one will matter more? Will it even take that long?