On Monday night, the Phillies secured their first National League East title in 13 years with a commanding 6-2 win over the Cubs at Citizens Bank Park. Two days later, they clinched their 94th victory of the season with a 9-6 win, locking in a first-round bye and home-field advantage for the NL Division Series after the Brewers lost to the Pirates. Now, with three regular season games remaining, Philadelphia's eyes are on fine-tuning for a deep playoff run.
Health and Home-Field Priority
Manager Rob Thomson’s team, sitting at 94-65, is still pushing for the top seed in the National League. The Phillies own the tiebreaker over the Dodgers (94-64), meaning if the two teams finish with identical records, Philadelphia would claim the No. 1 seed. But Thomson made it clear: securing the top spot won't come at the expense of player health.
“I want the top seed, but I'm not going to risk anyone’s health to get it,” Thomson said.
Bryce Harper, who has dealt with right elbow and wrist issues throughout the season, felt a stinger in his elbow during Wednesday’s game. Although he and other regulars like J.T. Realmuto may see reduced playing time this weekend, the club’s priority is to ensure everyone is healthy for October.
Postseason Roster and Potential Lineup
As the Phillies prepare for the NLDS, speculation mounts about how the roster will be constructed. There are a few key decisions, particularly in the outfield, where platoon situations may emerge. With Austin Hays and Brandon Marsh splitting time in left field, and Johan Rojas and Cal Stevenson sharing duties in center, the matchups will dictate who gets the nod.
On the pitching side, the Phillies' rotation for the NLDS is shaping up with Zack Wheeler confirmed as the Game 1 starter. But the decision for Game 2 isn’t as straightforward. Cristopher Sánchez has posted a remarkable 2.05 ERA at home compared to 5.02 on the road, leaving Thomson with a decision: should he take advantage of Sánchez’s home splits in Game 2 and push Aaron Nola to Game 3?
Leveraging Rotation Depth
One area where the Phillies hold a distinct advantage is in their starting rotation. With Wheeler, Nola, Sánchez, and Ranger Suárez, the Phillies starters led the league in innings pitched (889⅔) and quality starts (79). But despite that regular-season success, Thomson has shown a tendency to manage more aggressively in the postseason.
One area where the Phillies hold a distinct advantage is in their starting rotation. With Wheeler, Nola, Sánchez, and Ranger Suárez, the Phillies starters led the league in innings pitched (889⅔) and quality starts (79). But despite that regular-season success, Thomson has shown a tendency to manage more aggressively in the postseason.
Last year, Thomson leaned heavily on his bullpen, increasing its workload from 37.7% of regular-season innings to 41.5% in the playoffs. While starters like Wheeler and Nola have the potential to go deep into games, Thomson’s decisions in October may come down to matchups and situations rather than pushing his aces through the middle innings.
Keeping Sharp During the Bye
The Phillies will have nearly a week off between the end of the regular season and the start of the NLDS on October 5. While that break is crucial for resting players like Harper and Marsh, it also presents the challenge of maintaining sharpness at the plate and on the mound.
The team plans to hold several intra-squad scrimmages to keep hitters in rhythm and ensure the pitching staff stays fresh. Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and the rest of the lineup will be working to avoid any rust during their longest break since the All-Star Game.
The Road Ahead: Potential NLDS Opponents
The Phillies’ potential NLDS opponents are still jockeying for Wild Card spots, with the Padres, Diamondbacks, Mets, and Braves all in the mix. Philadelphia performed well against some of these clubs during the regular season, going 5-1 against San Diego and 7-6 against the Mets. However, their struggles against Atlanta (6-7 with a -23 run differential) could pose a challenge if they meet again in the postseason.
As Hurricane Helene disrupts the Wild Card race with rain delays in Atlanta, chaos could ensue if the Mets and Braves are forced to play a makeup doubleheader on Monday, just one day before the playoffs begin. The Phillies, meanwhile, will be watching closely as they prepare for their own playoff path.
Ready for October
With a roster featuring stars like Harper, Schwarber, and Realmuto, a deep rotation led by Wheeler and Nola, and a rested bullpen, the Phillies are primed for another October run. This time, though, they enter as NL East champions with a first-round bye, a luxury they hope will give them the edge to push through the gauntlet of the National League and beyond.
