Ricky Bo Breaks Down Who The Phillies Could Face in The Wild Card Round
The Phillies are in the homestretch, and in a very good position to take home the 1st wildcard. A loss by the Diamondbacks to the Yankees yesterday put the Phillies’ magic number at 1. Here is how it all breaks down.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona has six games left, they start tonight through Thursday at the Chicago White Sox, then they head home to face the Astros. The interesting part of this is that the Astros are fighting for a spot in the playoffs also. Why is this beneficial to the Phillies? Well, The Diamondbacks will have to use their starting pitchers as is if they don’t clinch a spot by Friday, which means Zac Gallen would pitch Friday and Merrill Kelly is scheduled for Saturday. If the Diamondbacks were to get the #2 wildcard, Gallen would not be available til game 2 and Merrill Kelly game 3.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs have the toughest schedule, they face the Braves in Atlanta for three, then the Brewers for three in Milwaukee. Not an easy task, although the Braves have clinched the East and Milwaukee will most likely be N.L. Central champs by then. The Cubs have come out of nowhere in the second half but still have work to do and it won’t be easy.
Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are out of the last spot by one game. They have the easiest schedule of them all. The Marlins have a three-game set against the Mets at Citi Field then head to Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates to end the regular season. The Marlins have been a thorn in the Phillies side this season winning the season series against them 7-6. They obviously have been a pesky team and still have a legitimate chance to sneak in.
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are 2.5 out and need a lot of help. They face off against the Guardians in Cleveland and then head to St. Louis to face the Cardinals. A good schedule for them but it won’t be easy. A young team that blossomed mid-season and has opened up a lot of eyes around baseball. They need a mini miracle.
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So, who the Phillies will face is still wide open, but the Phillies will be able to sit back and set up their rotation for Tuesday with just one win. Rob Thomson will probably lead off with Zack Wheeler, and go from there. This team is poised to make a nice postseason run…….
AGAIN….
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