Image: Phillies Stadium from Unsplash (Photo by Ashley Levinson on Unsplash)
It’s that time of year again and the Fightin’ Phils are looking to sweep the National League (NL) East —for what would be the first time since 2011 — and begin their journey through Red October. In addition to clinching the division, the Phillies are hoping to finish the regular season with the first or second best record among National League division winners. Having one of the top two records gives the Phillies the ability to skip the wild card round and start the postseason with home-field advantage in the Division Series. Ideally, the Phillies would like to finish with the best record in the major league — doing so would secure home-field advantage for the entirety of the postseason.
The countdown to Red October began on Sunday, Sept. 15 after the Phillies won their series against the New York Mets at home, thanks to a walk-off from JT Realmuto in the bottom of the ninth inning. The magic number to clinch the NL East became five as the Phillies headed to Milwaukee to begin an important three-game series against the Brewers.
Unfortunately, that number stayed the same after the Phillies lost 6–2 to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night, Sept. 16.
Things began to look up on Tuesday night, Sept. 17, after the Phillies beat the Brewers and the magic number to clinch the NL East became four. Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler was credited with Player of the Game after only allowing four hits and one run in seven innings while striking out six and walking none.
The score was tied until the sixth inning when Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper sent a 1–1 pitch over the wall in left-center field for his 29th home run of the season. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber was on first base and able to score, giving the Phillies a 3–1 lead over the Brewers.
Later on, both Schwarber and Trea Turner were able to add RBI singles to win the game 5–1.
The series ended Wednesday night, Sept. 18, when the Phillies fell to the Brewers 2–1. Their magic number to win the NL East stayed at four while the Phillies flew to New York to take on the Mets. Phillies relief pitcher Carlos Estevez was credited for the loss after giving up a run in the bottom of the ninth. The Brewers’ win confirmed their spot in the postseason as they won their division, the National League Central. Former Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins was a crucial part of the Brewers’ win.
The Phillies fell short once again on Thursday night, Sept. 19, as they lost 10–6 to the Mets. The Phillies starting pitcher for the game, Taijuan Walker, was responsible for the loss. Walker gave up a career-worst four home runs along with eight runs, eight hits, three walks and a hit batter in 3 1/3 innings. Head coach Rob Thomson also took some responsibility for the loss, noting in a post-game interview that he made a bad decision starting Walker.
Philly fans could finally breathe again Friday night, Sept. 20, after the Phillies beat the Mets 12–2. This win was crucial, as it secured the team’s spot in the postseason. The new number for the Phils to clinch the National League East became two. The magic number jumped from four to two because both the Phillies and the Mets play in the same National League division. Both teams want to control the division, and a Mets loss put the Phillies ahead by an extra game.
This week the Phillies fly back home to take on the Chicago Cubs for a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park. Following that series, the Phillies will end their regular season in Washington against the Nationals.
Red October will be here before we know it, and the Fightin’ Phils are ready for their chance to bring the World Series trophy home.
Sophie Stair is a second-year English major with a minor in Journalism ss1029515@wcupa.edu