The Phillies Sights Now Set Higher Than the 3rd Wild Card
Even a week ago, the narrative was the Phillies were competing for the 3rd Wild Card Spot. But a bad week by the Brewers, Braves, and Padres, and a great…
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 07: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Darick Hall #25 after hitting two run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on August 7, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)Even a week ago, the narrative was the Phillies were competing for the 3rd Wild Card Spot. But a bad week by the Brewers, Braves, and Padres, and a great week by the Phillies, and suddenly the Phillies' sights can be set much higher.
Not only have they moved into the 2nd Wild Card spot, but they are just 3 games behind the Braves for the 1st wild card. The Brewers lost all 3 games to the Pirates. The Braves split a series 1-1 with the Phillies, but then lost a series 1-4 vs the Mets. The Dodgers swept the Padres. Meanwhile, the Phillies swept a 4 game series vs the Nationals.
Now it's fair to mention the Phillies were playing the worst team in the league, while the Padres and the Braves were both playing very good teams. But that may become a trend because the Phillies still get to play the Nationals 7 more times, and the Padres still have 9 games with the Dodgers. The Brewers play the Cardinals and Dodgers 7 times, the Yankees and Mets 3 times, and the Mariners twice.
Phillies have the remaining easiest schedule (.483) than any of the other Wild Card Teams. Braves schedule is the hardest at (.508), Braves is the second highest (.496), and the Padres are slightly below that (.495).
Maybe it is time to stop doubting them. The narrative first was that Joe Girardi dug them into too deep a hole to dig out of. Since Thomson was named interim manager they are 38-19 (.666). Only 1 team has a better winning percentage this year, the Dodgers. When Bryce Harper went down many thought it would lead to a Phillies collapse. But since they went down they are 21-13 (.618). People thought the Padres would run away with the 2nd spot after the trade deadline. Well at least so far, that has not happened.
The 3rd Wild Card is the bare minimum expectation now. But they are capable of so much more. Even with the Padres getting Juan Soto, they could still stay ahead of them. The Phillies continue to win, and some of their competitors are struggling. If they keep playing like this, they should be shooting for the 2nd, or even the 1st Wild Card spot. They have 7 more games against the Braves. The first wild card spot is a real possibility. All they need to do is take care of their own business.
