The Philadelphia Phillies had an impressive weekend series against the New York Mets, winning two out of three games and inching closer to securing their first NL East title in over a decade. The team is on the verge of clinching the division, with a magic number of five and 13 games left in the regular season. With the Braves and Mets trailing by eight games each, the Phillies have a strong chance of wrapping up the division in their upcoming series against the Mets.
The Race for the No. 1 Seed
While winning the NL East is a significant achievement, the Phillies have their sights set on securing the No. 1 seed in the National League. This coveted spot comes with the perk of home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, a crucial advantage for the team with the most home wins in baseball this season. As of September 16, the Phillies lead the standings in the NL, giving them a three-game edge over the Dodgers for the top seed.
| Team | Record | GB |
| Phillies | 90-59 | — |
| Dodgers | 88-61 | 2 |
| Yankees | 87-63 | 3.5 |
| Brewers | 86-63 | 4 |
| Guardians | 86-64 | 4.5 |
The path to the postseason also includes the potential for a first-round bye, depending on the team’s final seeding. The Phillies have the option to skip the Wild Card round and proceed directly to the NLDS if they maintain their position as the top seed or secure the second spot in the NL standings to stay ahead of the Brewers.
Despite a break in the postseason schedule, the rest offered by a bye can be a point of contention among fans. Recent history has seen mixed results for teams with a first-round bye, with the Phillies themselves excelling in playoff scenarios without additional rest in their last two postseason appearances.
The upcoming series against the Milwaukee Brewers carries significant weight for the Phillies’ playoff positioning, as they currently lead the Brewers by four games in the race for the guaranteed first-round bye. With pitchers like Ranger Suárez, Zack Wheeler, and Aaron Nola leading the charge, the Phillies are poised for success.
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