PHILADELPHIA -- Could Hanley Ramirez blow it?

It's possible but doubtful. The slumping player's lead in the National League batting race is down to .011 percentage points over the Giants' Pablo Sandoval -- .341 to .330. And the Cardinal's Albert Pujols is right behind with a .328 average.

Ramirez is 1 for his past 18 and 11 for 62 since Sept. 13. Before going 0 for 4 on Wednesday, Ramirez said he has been hitting off the wrong foot, and he vowed to drop down a bunt to get back on track. True to his word, he bunted in the first inning but was thrown out.

If manager Fredi Gonzalez holds to his plan of resting Ramirez on Friday, it would make it difficult -- but not impossible -- for Sandoval or Pujols to surge past him in the batting race.

Pujols went 0 for 3 on Thursday while Sandoval was 2 for 3.

If Ramirez were to go hitless Saturday and Sunday, Pujols could edge him out by going 10 for 12 or better in the Cardinals' final three games. (St. Louis had a game scheduled for Thursday).

Pujols, who leads the league with 47 home runs, still has an outside shot at winning the Triple Crown. He was third in RBI with 134 -- four behind Prince Fielder and Ryan Howard -- entering Thursday.

QUICK HITS

• The Marlins will finish with the third-highest victory total in franchise history. They have 85 entering their weekend series against the Phillies. Only the 1997 and 2003 teams won more games, finishing with 92 and 91 victories, respectively.

• Count Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports as a Chris Coghlan admirer. In his Thursday column, Rosenthal said Coghlan would be his pick to be the NL Rookie of the Year. He also picked Ramirez to finish second in MVP voting (behind Pujols) and Gonzalez third for Manager of the Year.

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