Phillies could push past N.L. East gridlock: swallow this with your cheesesteak: Phillies fans who love to hate G.M. Ed Wade and manager Charlie Manuel will be forced to make nice if the team wins its division

Dangerous topic this week: trying to determine whether the Phillies are legit.

I say yes, but I trust the Phillies about as much as desperate housewives trust their significant others.

The Phillies break no vows, only hearts. And yes, even the players acknowledge the team is a perennial underachiever.

"I agree 100 percent," pitcher Randy Wolf says. "I look at the players we have. I look at the ability we have, and I've been frustrated almost every year."

He isn't alone.

"Why haven't we been to the playoffs?" shortstop Jimmy Rollins asks. "That's a great question. I can't answer it. There are no excuses. Just get it done."

Now is as good a time as any; the five National League East teams began the week separated by 1 1/2 games. The Braves--I bet I'll regret writing this--look vulnerable. On paper, the Marlins probably are the best team, but their offense has been disappointing, starting pitcher Al Leiter has been shaky and their bullpen remains a question.

The Phillies' offense is the best in the division, and so is their closer, Billy Wagner. The team was 16-22 on May 14, seven games back, but saved its season by going 13-5 over the next three weeks against difficult competition. The Phillies can take comfort knowing they've already made their annual visits to St. Louis and Chicago and two of their three trips to Florida and Atlanta. Their schedule is heavy on home dates through mid-July.

As the Nationals try to add another bat, as the Mets strive for consistency, as the Braves face bullpen and corner outfield issues, why shouldn't the Phillies take off?

Philadelphia's offense, first in the league in on-base percentage but only ninth in slugging, will get even better if first baseman Jim Thome regains his stroke. Right fielder Bobby Abreu began the week second in the N.L. in on-base plus slugging percentage, and left fielder Pat Burrell was 12th. Second baseman Chase Utley gives the team yet another offensive force--general manager Ed Wade likens him to a lefthanded-hitting Ryne Sandberg, capable of hitting .300 with 30 home runs.

Pitching is the greater concern. Righthanded starter Vicente Padilla can't be trusted. The bullpen in front of Ryan Madson and Wagner is thin, in part because Tim Worrell remains on the disabled list for personal reasons. Still, the top four starters began the week a combined 22-14 with a 3.76 ERA, with Brett Myers emerging as the surprising ace.

Given the closeness of the division, the winner likely will be the team that stays the healthiest and makes the best deadline moves. Wade enjoys the backing of ownership, but his next seven weeks will be a major test. Marlins G.M. Larry Beinfest has made terrific in-season trades the past two years. The division's two new general managers, the Mets' Omar Minaya and the Nationals' Jim Bowden, can be almost recklessly aggressive. And Braves G.M. John Schuerholz--uh, you might have heard of him.

Wade has an impressive chip to play--infielder Placido Polanco--and he surely would trade him for the right pitcher. A shrewder move would be to keep Polanco and use minor leaguers such as first baseman Ryan Howard to make the necessary deals. Polanco, a winning player, has started at four positions, and manager Charlie Manuel values the protection he offers to a lineup with numerous injury concerns.

Oh yes, Manuel. Almost forgot him. Rarely taken seriously as a strategist, derided in Philadelphia for his southern drawl, he still could prove to be the perfect replacement for the intense Larry Bowa.

"Nothing against what happened here in the past, but it is a happier clubhouse," Thome says. "Now when you see guys walk through the door, they're actually smiling, having a good time. I don't think that happened very much (before)."

OK, boys, no excuses. Be the team you're supposed to be, once and for all.

They're all in it to win it

As the trade market heats up, the National League East contenders--all five of 'em--are jockeying for position.

Braves. Righthander Chris Reitsma could fill the void at closer created by Dan Kolb's meltdown, but bullpen help still is a priority, as is the addition of a corner outfielder such as the Reds' Austin Kearns or the Devil Rays' Aubrey Huff.

Marlins. Center fielder Juan Pierre and third baseman Mike Lowell have yet to get untracked, but the bullpen is the biggest concern.

Phillies. Which will they need more, a starter or a reliever? Much depends on oft-injured righthander Vicente Padilla, who showed promise in a recent start against the Diamondbacks.

Mets. The team will be in better position to trade for bullpen help if righthanded starter Steve Trachsel returns from back surgery by the All-Star break, making either Aaron Heilman or Class AAA righthander Jae Seo expendable.

Nationals. General manager Jim Bowden is continuing his quest for a righthanded-hitting outfielder, targeting the Rockies' Preston Wilson, the A's Eric Byrnes and the Rangers' Kevin Mench, among others. Blue Jays G.M. J.P. Ricciardi jokes that Bowden calls him once a week about Vernon Wells.