How The Phillies Playoff Schedule Looks So Far: Tickets, Details, More

PHILADELPHIA, PA — It hasn't always been as smooth as fans or the front office may have hoped, but a year after the Phillies shocking run to the World Series as the lowest seed in the National League, they're back in the postseason. And they're not just in a better position than they were last year, they're a popular dark horse pick to win it all.

See also: Phillies Clinch Playoff Berth With Walk-Off Hit In Extra Innings

That's not to say they're favorites. Far from it. With the team's 3-2 victory over Pittsburgh in extra innings Tuesday night, the Phillies clinched both their playoff berth and the top Wild Card seed, meaning they'll host the opening round at Citizens Bank Park.

Schedule and potential opponents

The best of three Wild Card series will be held next Tuesday, Wednesday, and, if neccessary, Thursday, Oct. 3, 4, and 5.

If the postseason started today, the Phillies would host the Arizona Diamondbacks, the second wild card and fifth overall seed, in that series. The Diamondbacks have a one game lead over the Chicago Cubs, who currently have the sixth seed, and a 1.5 game lead over the Miami Marlins, who sit just outside the playoff picture.

Relive the 2022 magic: Bryce Harper's Shot Heard Around The World

The winner of the Phillies wild card series will play the top seeded Atlanta Braves in the Divisional Series. The first two games will be in Atlanta on Oct. 7 and Oct. 9. Games 3 and 4, if the Phillies advance, would be in Philadelphia on Oct. 11 and Oct. 12. If neccessary, Game 5 would be back in Atlanta on Oct. 14. The Phillies beat the Braves 3-1 in this round last fall.

Ideal Wild Card opponent

The Phillies went 4-3 against the Diamondbacks, 5-1 against the Cubs, and 6-7 against the Marlins during the regular season.

If things hold and the Diamondbacks keep the 5 seed, that would be the best case scenario for the Phillies.

While they were more dominant against Chicago, the Cubs are a team with momentum much like Phillies: since June 2, the Cubs sport a 58-44 record, 7th best in baseball.

The Phillies are 63-38 in that time span, which is the second best record in baseball after the Atlanta Braves.

The Diamondbacks, however, started out red-hot and have struggled to find their footing since, limping to a 49-51 record in that time. As the Phillies proved last fall, timing is everything when it comes to the playoffs, and the Cubs have been exuding 2022 Phillies vibes for a month or two now. Best to let Milwaukee and Los Angeles handle that one.

Pitching matchups

Nothing has been officially announced yet, but the Phillies Wild Card rotation will almost certainly be Zach Wheeler in Game 1, who will probably followed by Aaron Nola in Game 2 and Ranger Suarez in Game 3. Nola has been wildly inconsistent in 2023, but he hasn't been mediocre: he either fires 6 or 7 innings of shutout or 1-run ball like he did in Tuesday night's clincher, or he blows up.

In the event of an elimination game, Taijuan Walker and Cristopher Sanchez would be available out of the bullpen.

Tickets

Fans can register for a chance to buy playoff tickets through the Phillies website.

Odds

The Phillies have the sixth best odds to win the World Series, according to FanDuel Sportsbook:

1. Braves +250

2. Dodgers +420

3. Orioles +650

4. Rangers +800

5. Rays +1200

5. Phillies +1200

5. Astros +1200

8. Blue Jays +1800

9. Twins +1900

10. Brewers +1900

Schedule for later rounds

The National League Championship Series will include the winner of the Braves series against the winner of a series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the other wild card round winner.

Here's the schedule for the NLCS:

Game 1: Oct. 16

Game 2: Oct. 17

Game 3: Oct. 19

Game 4: Oct. 20

Game 5: Oct. 21

Game 6: Oct. 23

Game 7: Oct. 24