The Phillies head to Citi Field on Friday night to keep their series going against the Mets, with first pitch set for 7:15 p.m. on Sept. 18.
Philadelphia comes in at 85-68 and sits second in the NL East, four games behind the Braves, who are 89-64. The Phillies are also locked in a tie with the Cubs at the top of the National League wild-card standings, and they hold a five-game cushion over the Diamondbacks, who are 80-73.
There’s still a little math left in the race. The Phillies’ magic number to clinch a National League playoff spot is five, and the Braves’ magic number to clinch the NL East is also 5. As noted, the magic number is the combined total of wins by the leading team and losses by the closest trailing team needed for a clinch.
If the postseason started today, the Phillies are projected to meet the Cubs in a three-game wild card series beginning Tuesday, Sept. 29 in Chicago. If Philadelphia and Chicago finish with identical records, the Cubs would own the tiebreaker after winning the season series 6-1.
Friday’s game will air on Apple TV+, with the radio call available on 94WIP and WDEL 101.7 FM/1150 AM. To stream on Apple TV+, a subscription is required. Apple TV+ costs $12.99 per month, though there is a free trial available with an email or Apple ID.
The Phillies’ 2026 schedule is also available, and the team is selling tickets to all home games through its website.
In Other News...
Scary Mets Injury In Phillies Game Left One Immediate Question
A routine late-season meeting between the Phillies and Mets took a jarring turn when New York first baseman Jared Young collided with pitcher Nolan McLean and went down with a head injury. The scene was serious enough to stop the games flow entirely, with Young lying motionless on the field before medical personnel worked to stabilize him and get him to a hospital.
Andy Green later offered the first encouraging update, saying Youngs CT scan came back negative and that he had full use of his extremities. Even with those signs pointing in the right direction, the immediate concern around the Mets was obvious: after a collision like that, the first question is no longer about the scoreboard, but about how quickly and safely a player can recover. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Suddenly Have A New Rotation Puzzle After Luzardo Injury
With Jess Luzardo landing on the injured list, the Phillies had to start reshaping their pitching plans almost immediately, and the first move came with a familiar kind of depth add. Philadelphia claimed right-hander Jos Urquidy off waivers from the Chicago White Sox and cleared a 40-man spot by transferring Caleb Kilian to the 60-day injured list, giving the club another arm to sort through as it tries to steady the rotation picture.
Don Mattingly said Urquidy should arrive before the next game, and the early indication is that he could be used out of the bullpen rather than dropped straight into the starting mix. Andrew Painter is lined up to start on Saturday, which only adds to the moving pieces as the Phillies continue adjusting on the fly and trying to cover innings without overextending the staff. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Send Clear Message About Their Stretch Run Pitching Plan
The Phillies added another arm to their pitching mix by claiming Jose Urquidy off waivers from the White Sox, then clearing space by optioning left-hander Kyle Backhus to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. It is the kind of late-season move that signals how carefully the club is managing its staff while the playoff race tightens, with every roster spot carrying more weight in September than it does in April.
Urquidy has already reported and figures to give Philadelphia some needed depth as the club navigates the stretch run, especially with the innings pile-up that comes with a push for October. The one catch is straightforward but important: he is not eligible for the playoffs, so the Phillies are filling an immediate need without changing the postseason picture if they do get there. [Read more 🡒]