Tori Sheffer

Can the Phillies make it a Postseason Threepeat?

With only one game needed to clinch a postseason berth for the third year, the Philadelphia Phillies are inching closer to Red October again. While they could very well clinch their spot in the postseason tonight against Milwaukee, the Phillies are fighting for more than just “making it” this year. They are four games away from taking the division away from the Atlanta Braves since 2018, and the first time since 2011. There is some genuine baseball magic going on in South Philly right now and with the fall atmosphere being not just acknowledged but accepted this early into September, we’re seeing the postseason edition of the 2024 Phillies even earlier than expected. They’re hungry, and they’re not just looking for a place at the table, they’re looking to be seated at the head. 

With only ten games left in the 2024 regular season, the Phils are looking to take as many as they can, needing seven games until they clinch a spot in the postseason with a week’s break as the wildcard games occur. With our starting nine now intact once again with the likes of Bohm and Sosa returning from the IL in addition to JT and Bryce recovering from their respective health issues, they are starting to heat up just at the right time. After sweeping the Rays and two incredible comeback wins against the red-hot Mets, the Phillies started one of their last road trips of the season by getting a preview of how postseason play against the NL Central favorites before heading over to Citi Field to take on their division rival Mets once more. 

If you find yourself like me looking at every possible outcome graph and stat that gets posted, you will know that this year the Phillies are not just slated to make the postseason, but they are in fact the frontrunners in taking the entire fall classic. Now, having made the playoffs each year the past few Octobers, you’d know that as soon as things start heading south for the Phils, all of the team’s weaknesses are put on full display for national audiences across the country who love to sit and bash the blindly optimistic Philly Faithful every step of the way. However, this season players, coaches, and even the most reluctant of fans who have been around since the ‘80s are all here knowing one thing to be true: this season is different. One thing that has lacked in recent years past is pitching depth, both starters and relievers, but that is no more. After locking down both Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, the emergence of Ranger Suarez and Christopher Sanchez, as well as some significant trade deadline acquisitions to strengthen the bullpen in addition to the reliable arms of Hoffman, Alvarado, Strahm, and Kerkering. While being a man down in the rotation thanks to Taijuan Walker’s fall off, there is the looming 5th day in the rotation, but even so, Kolby Allard has been holding it down as best as he can when called upon by Topper and the coaching staff. Now that the postseason is more of a reality, the Phillies offense has come alive and they’ll be seeing postseason contenders for a majority of the rest of the regular season, which can be just the push they need to continue to play strong, competitive baseball.

Something interesting to note about tonight’s second game is the fact that both teams are looking to clinch postseason berth tonight. The Brewers are looking to clinch the NL Central, and a Phillies win means they clinch a spot, but they won’t know where necessarily until other teams play as well. As it stands right now, the Dodgers and the Phillies will be the two teams awaiting who wins the NL Wildcard round. As I write this the Phils and the Brew Crew are tied at one game a piece in this series, and tonight’s game will be a big one for whoever is the winner of tonight’s game at 7:40 happening at American Family Field, and while I’m always hoping for a Phils win, it would be nice to see Rhys Hoskins celebrate success with his new team. More importantly it would just be great to see the Phillies know they’re safely contending for October baseball while they fight for the NL East a little closer to home in either New York or, even better, at Citizens Bank.