The Phillies enter the final week of the regular season with the finish line in sight, and their path to the postseason got a little clearer after Sunday’s win over the Mets.
Philadelphia had been stuck in a frustrating offensive stretch before breaking through with seven runs on Sunday, the club’s highest output since last Sunday against the Atlanta Braves. That mattered after a rough run in which the Phillies scored just three runs in each of their previous five games. It was enough to split the series with New York and give the lineup at least a small jolt heading into the stretch run.
That victory also pushed the Phillies’ magic number down to three. With both Philadelphia and the Arizona Diamondbacks off Monday, the number stays there as the Phillies move into their series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The timing lines up well for Philadelphia’s rotation, which now gets a chance to set the tone over the next three games. Zack Wheeler will start Tuesday, and he has been sharp lately after an August slump that now looks like a distant problem.
Aaron Nola follows on Wednesday, and he’ll be trying to keep his recent strong run going. Thursday could bring an opener before Jose Urquidy, who looked solid in his debut for the team last week.
The Braves have already clinched the National League East, so the race now centers on the wild card. Philadelphia is still right in the mix, sitting one game behind the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres.
That makes this week feel meaningful, even with the Phillies in such a strong position to lock up a spot soon. The Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays still have something to play for, and both opponents own the best records in their respective leagues.
That means the Phillies are heading into a difficult closing week, one that could test them before October arrives. Building momentum now would go a long way.
In Other News...
Ricky Bottalico Shares Emotional Message With Phillies Fans After Family Loss
Ricky Bottalico has stepped away from his usual Phillies media work after the death of his brother, Jeffrey, following a brief illness. The former Phillies pitcher has been a familiar presence around the team through his roles with NBC Sports Philadelphia, so his absence was felt quickly, and the tributes that followed reflected just how connected he remains to the Philadelphia baseball community.
Support poured in from across the city once word spread of the familys loss, with fans and members of the local sports scene reaching out to Bottalico and his loved ones. In a market that tends to hold onto its former players, the response was a reminder of how much respect Bottalico still carries, even as he takes time away to be with family. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Just Spotlighted Two Rising Names Fans Need To Know
The Phillies used their annual Paul Owens Award announcement to shine a light on two prospects who have helped keep the organizations pipeline looking healthy. Alex McFarlane earned the pitcher honor, while Bryan Rincon was recognized as the top hitter, a reminder that the clubs future is not built on one level alone but across a farm system that has started to produce real names worth tracking.
McFarlane has put together a strong run in both the minors and the majors, while Rincon has taken notable steps forward at Double-A Reading with his bat and overall game. For a Phillies system that is always under pressure to feed the big club, those kinds of developments matter, and this latest recognition suggests both players have moved themselves closer to the center of the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Suddenly Have A Bigger Orion Kerkering Problem Than Expected
Orion Kerkerings quick rise earlier this season had given the Phillies a promising young arm to lean on in the bullpen, but the conversation around him has shifted sharply after his latest rough outing against the Mets. The club sent him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, a move that reflects how quickly the margins tighten for relievers, especially when the stuff is there but the results are not.
Don Mattinglys concern after the game centered not just on the performance, but on Kerkerings confidence, which has become part of the bigger picture after a strong first half gave way to real struggles after the All-Star break. For a Phillies bullpen trying to steady itself for the stretch run, the question now is less about whether Kerkering can help, and more about how soon the organization believes he can regain the form that made him such an important part of the plan in the first place. [Read more 🡒]