No more predictions coming from Rollins

PHILADELPHIA -- Jimmy Rollins used to be in the prediction business.

Rollins said before the 2007 season that the Phillies would be the team to beat in the National League East, despite the fact that the Mets had won the division by 12 games in 2006. But the Phillies came through, becoming the first team in baseball history to overcome a seven-game deficit with 17 games to play to win their first division title since 1993.

Phillies at a glance 2009 record: 93-69 2008 record: 92-70 NL East champs NLCS matchup: Phillies at Dodgers Postseason tix: Information WHO ARE THESE GUYS? • Madson: Back in business • Werth: Heart of the order • Rollins: Awaiting breakout • Focus: One game at a time • Manuel: Mix & match • Howard: Ready for lefties • Stairs: Shot reverberates • Manuel: New rules for 'pen • Blanton: Arm around team • Pedro: Return to spotlight • Ibanez: Eyes on prize • Rollins: '07 irrelevant • Lidge: Still an option • Lidge: Killer cutter • Roster: Mulling options • Ibanez: Perfect fit • Hamels: Path of the pros • Amaro: Bold decisions • Pedro: Elated to play part • Rollins: No more predictions • Hamels: Back in business • Pitching: Staff in flux • Manuel: Keeps 'em focused • Hamels: Aims for dominance • Lineup: Imperfect but solid • Lee: Ready for playoff debut • Howard: The evolution • Rollins: Excelling on defense • Rotation: Not just big two • Manuel: Steady as she goes • Rollins: Eyes on '09 drama • Howard: The 'Big Piece' • Lee: Lifting Phils' hopes More Phillies coverage • Howard ties Gehrig's postseason RBI record Bats, Lee team up for rout in Game 3 Howard's RBI streak sets playoff mark Postseason going brilliant-Lee for lefty Blanton seeks return to clutch form Upbeat Moyer happy to rejoin club Phils rounding into title form Manuel committed to Lidge Cold temperatures will be a challenge Pedro brilliant, but Phils falter late in Game 2 Pedro masterful in return to big stage Utley at center of defensive struggles Phillies turn to Lee for Game 3 Phillies warmed by return to chilly home Bullpen woes return in Game 2 loss Bodley: Utley error opens door Phillies' power capitalizes on free passes Mix-and-match relief works vs. LA Phils edge Rockies for 2-1 NLDS lead Lidge finds redemption in crucial spot Umps admit missing call on Utley hit Given extra day, Phils to go with Happ Phillies glad to see Game 3 postponed Extra off-day alters clubs' options Winter-like weather forces Game 3 postponement Postponements a postseason tradition Myers feeling good after playoff outing Hamels to rejoin Phillies after birth of son Moyer in hospital with blood infection Phils rally, but must settle for split Clubs trade places for Game 3 Pedro, Blanton, Happ up for Game 3 nod Chilly reception awaits in Denver It's not sunny in Philadelphia for Hamels Hamels leaves to be with wife in labor Kalas still a presence in Phils' house Utley battling past late-season struggles Phillies, Rockies fill familiar roles Lee masterful in opening victory Phillies show patience, break through Running shoes put to good use Wind makes for wild afternoon Hamels unhappy with starting times Phils will use all bullpen options Avenging '07 not on Phils' minds Reserves shine in regular-season finale With loss, Phils plan ahead for NLDS Phils remain one back for home-field Phils fall game back for best record Phils clinch third straight NL East crown Eyeing historic postseason run NLDS opponent to be determined Phils power way closer to clinch Moyer exits game with left groin strain Manuel talks to Phils behind closed doors Phils hold on, lower magic number to 3 Walk-off slows Phils in Milwaukee Two mistakes cost Lee, Phillies dearly Pedro scratched, Kendrick to start Happ strong as Phillies pound Brewers After twin-bill split with Fish, Phils focus on finale Phils wait out rain, win finale over Braves Phils have hard road to repeat glory Manuel wants Phillies to turn it up a notch Finishing strong motivates Phillies Kendrick shines in first start Lidge endures roller-coaster week

Then, before the 2008 season, Rollins said that the Phillies would win 100 games. They finished with 103, including the postseason.

Fans could use a strong prediction right about now from Rollins, except he said earlier this year that he does not make them anymore. The Phillies have lost five of their past seven games, and an 8 1/2-game lead over the Braves with 13 left to play has shrunk to four games, with six to play. The Phillies only need a combination of wins or Braves losses totaling three to clinch the division, but they are dragging toward the postseason.

"Don't care," Rollins said on Sunday in Milwaukee when asked about the hard-charging Braves. "I don't care who's behind us. All we have to do is win. Technically, all we have to do is win by one, you know? It makes it a little bit easier down the stretch if we knock it out before making it a [must]-win day. Fortunately, we were pretty good in that situation, but to a man, we would like to go out there and just handle our business and win it. Get on a good stretch, and by doing so, we will have some momentum going into the playoffs -- hopefully."

Seven of the past nine National League champions have finished the regular season with either the best record in baseball or the best record in the league, exhibiting that the hottest team typically carries its play into the World Series.

The Phillies are far from hot.

"It would be nice to get hot, then," Rollins said. "It would be real nice to get hot. Don't get me wrong. We're playing OK. We do some things good. Some things [are] like, 'What the heck is going on out there?' It looks like a Little League game right now. But let's put a nice homestand together and see where that takes us."

The Phillies lost the first game of that homestand on Monday, against the Houston Astros. They have six more to play, and they need to win just three. And though Rollins is not predicting three more wins, he must be thinking they can get them.