During spring training, managing partner John Middleton addressed the Phillies. That was him still “really angry” about how 2023 ended.
Middleton has wanted his “f—— trophy back” for 16 years, and he delivered that message again Monday night in a beer-filled clubhouse at Citizens Bank Park as Philadelphia captured its first NL East title since 2011.
The Phillies went on the road in March to win the division (check), get a first-round bye (check), reach home field in the playoffs (still available), and win the World Series (the time will tell).
Philadelphia secured a bye in the first round in the MLB playoffs Wednesday with a win over the Cubs and a loss to the Brewers.
Here’s what’s next for the Phillies and how they can still gain home field advantage in the Division and Championship series.
When will the Phillies play their first playoff game?
Unlike the past two postseasons, the Phillies are avoiding the Wild Card Series. They will enter the playoffs no worse than the second seed in the National League, which comes with a home field in the Division Series.
So while the MLB playoffs start Tuesday, the Phillies have five days off before the NLDS starts next weekend. The Phils’ regular season ends Sunday.
The Phillies will host Game 1 of the NLDS this Saturday at Citizens Bank Park. Time and opponent have yet to be determined.
What is the NLDS scheme?
While we don’t know who the Phillies will face, we do know when they will play in the five-game NLDS.
Games 1 and 2 are on Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6 at Citizens Bank Park.
Games 3 and 4 will take place on Tuesday, October 8 and Wednesday, October 9.
Game 5, if necessary, will be Friday, Oct. 11 at Citizens Bank Park.
How can Phillies fans get tickets?
The Phillies opened last week registration for fans to purchase playoff tickets. Fans can register to purchase tickets online.
The Phils said postseason ticket options are “extremely limited” this year due to increased season ticket sales.
Which seed will the Phillies be?
The Phillies at least guaranteed themselves the No. 2 seed in the National League, which comes with a home field in the Division Series, but they could still end up as the NL’s top dog. Only the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Diego Padres could finish ahead of them.
Here’s a look at what’s going to happen as the final weekend of the regular season approaches.
The Phillies have no control over their destiny to finish as the NL’s top seed, but there are several paths to that. The No. 1 seed in the NL has a home court in the Division Series and Championship Series.
Entering Thursday, the Phillies (94-65) will be a half-game behind the Dodgers (94-64) for the top seed. The Dodgers and Padres (91-67) have four games remaining; they face each other for the last time in the regular season on Thursday evening.
The Phillies hold the tiebreaker over the Dodgers and Padres because of their head-to-head record against the clubs.
If the Dodgers finish 4-0 to end the season, the Phillies will not be able to clinch the No. 1 seed.
Here are the scenarios in which the Phils could lock up the 1 seed:
- 3-0 against the Nationals and the Dodgers finish 3-1 or worse
- 2-1 against the Nationals and the Dodgers finish 2-2 or worse
- 1-2 against the Nationals and the Dodgers finish 1-3 or worse
- 0-3 vs. the Nationals and Dodgers finished 0-4 or the Padres go 4-0
San Diego can only finish #1 if it wins, the Dodgers win 1-3 or 0-4 and the Phillies are swept by Washington.
