Charlie Manuel has spent the weekend saying that if he had to, he would go into the playoffs with the offense he has.

It's as good a way as any to keep a trade-deadline-week poker face.

But even if the Phillies are showing signs of hitting again --- particularly during  the first three games of a series with the Padres that they will be in a position to sweep Monday --- there is still the haunting throught that they could return to one of their massive slumps at any time.

The one that they experienced in the final game of the last postseason against the Giants is one.

So Manuel is playing both sides ... saying that he would be satisfied with his current lineup, but hinting that he wouldn't mind some more hitting.

Check out my column in the Daily Times Monday and on delcotimes.com