Kody Clemens delivered a clutch walk-off single in the ninth inning on Monday, lifting the Phillies to a 2-1 victory over the Rays in the opener of their three-game series. The Phillies’ offense struggled once again, failing to record a hit until the fifth inning—marking the second consecutive game where they were held hitless until that point. Despite the offensive woes, the team managed to pull out the win.
The magic number to clinch a postseason berth now stands at 11, while 12 is needed to secure the NL East title. To earn a bye and advance directly to the Division Series, the Phillies magic number is 16.
The Phillies face a grueling 10-game stretch beginning Friday with a three-game series at home against the second-place Mets. Following that, they will hit the road for a three-game set in Milwaukee before heading to New York for a four-game showdown with the Mets next weekend. This stretch will serve as a significant test for the Phillies as they gear up for the postseason. They’ll contend with the Brewers, who are vying for favorable postseason positioning, and the Mets, who are in a fierce battle with the Braves for the final Wild Card spot.
Injury Updates
Catcher J.T. Realmuto might return this weekend. He left in the fourth inning of the Phillies' 16-2 victory over Miami on Friday, following a foul ball off his left knee during his second-inning at-bat, which ended with an RBI single. Phillies manager Rob Thomson indicated on Monday that Realmuto could be back in action for the series against the Mets.
Alec Bohm is also a potential returnee this weekend, as he continues to recover from a left hand strain. Bohm admitted it's “hard to say” how close he is to rejoining the team. He is eligible to be activated from the 10-day IL on September 13, for the series against the Mets.
Bohm sustained the injury while swinging on August 29 against the Braves. Initially, the Phillies hoped he’d be back in the lineup for the series against the Marlins, but his recovery has taken longer than anticipated. Despite the setback, Bohm is confident he’ll return in time to be ready for the postseason.
Outfielder Austin Hays is still dealing with a kidney infection and was placed on the IL on September 5, retroactive to September 2. This marks his second stint on the IL since joining the Phillies at the Trade Deadline. Infielder Edmundo Sosa, who experienced back spasms while doing cage work in Miami, was placed on the 10-day IL on September 8. He is eligible to return next week in Milwaukee.
