Phillies Snap 11 Year Playoff Drought With Epic Win: What's Next

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Like they have in every September since 2018, the Phillies began to collapse as this year's regular season drew to a close, ending playoff hopes that peaked in promise in the summer months. But unlike every year since 2011, the Phillies will be playing October baseball with an eye toward the World Series.

After nearly seven perfect innings from their homegrown ace, Aaron Nola, and two home runs from their leadoff lefty slugger Kyle Schwarber, the Phillies clinched a Wild Card playoff spot Monday night in Houston. They defeated the best team in the American League, 3-0, cementing at least the 6th and final seed in the postseason.

It wasn't easy. The Phillies started the season with their best roster on paper since those hallowed years of Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Roy Halladay back in 2011. But they got off to their worst start in half a decade, struggling to a 21-29 record to close out May. It was hard to not wonder if Philadelphia baseball fans faced another long and arduous rebuild. Because if this version of this team couldn't get it done, it would've been fair to say it was time to break it down to the bones this offseason.

They fired World Series winning manager Joe Girardi. They handed the reins to bench coach Rob Thomson. They went on a winning streak but 2021 MVP Bryce Harper broke his thumb.

But this is a Phillies team that refuses to give up. Even when they're hurt. Even when they know they're not at their best. Even when they have to play 38 games against the Braves and the Mets, two of the four best teams in baseball.

After Thomson's hiring on June 1, the Phillies went 67-44. They're now 87-73. They knew all along they could be this good, but to do it in the face of the adversity like they've done is something entirely different.

What's next? The final playoff field is not yet set. And the MLB playoffs are a bit different this year, with three Wild Cards making it to the postseason, instead of two. Here's how things currently stand in the National League.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (NL West winner, Round 1 bye)

2. Atlanta Braves (NL East winner, Round 1 bye)

3. St. Louis Cardinals (NL Central winner, hosts Phillies in best of 3-game Wild Card)

4. New York Mets (1st Wild Card, hosts Padres in best of 3-game Wild Card)

5. San Diego Padres (2nd Wild Card)

6. Philadelphia Phillies (3rd Wild Card)

The Phillies could hypothetically leapfrog the Padres, who hold the second Wild Card spot one game ahead of them. If the Phillies win their last two regular season games against Houston this week, and the Padres lose one, they would get the 5th seed. However, that may not be preferable, as the Mets have the superior regular season record and the Phillies have struggled against them this postseason.

So as it stands now, the Phillies will play the Cardinals in St. Louis on Friday, Saturday, and, if neccessary, on Sunday.

The Phillies will trot out ace Zack Wheeler for game one, Aaron Nola for game two, and Ranger Suarez if there's a game three. Final postseason rosters will be announced in the coming days but it's unlikely to feature too many surprises.