DYERSVILLE, Iowa — The movie tells you it’s not just a baseball field in the middle of an Iowa cornfield — it’s a place where dreams come true.
It’s where “Shoeless” Joe Jackson got a chance to play baseball again. It’s where “Moonlight” Graham finally got that elusive plate appearance against a big league pitcher that he’d waited for his whole life. It’s where Kevin Costner’s character, Ray Kinsella, played catch (had a catch?) with his late dad.
But the Phillies’ dream was never going to be realized on an August night in Iowa. Their dream, as it’s been for a few years now, is all about October.
Nola has a 2.91 ERA over his past four starts, and he’s allowed three runs or fewer in 12 of his past 15.
That could be a pivotal development for a Phillies team that woke up Thursday morning to find itself sitting outside of the 12-team postseason field. It was the first time the Phillies began the day not in postseason position since the morning of June 4.
They better hope so if they want to realize that dream come October.
