Phillies’ wild-card lead falls to one game with two rounds remaining
Philadelphia has lost three straight as Arizona’s six-game winning streak tightens the race for the final National League wild-card place.
The Philadelphia Phillies lead the Arizona Diamondbacks by one game for the National League’s third wild-card place, with two regular-season games left. Arizona holds the tiebreaker, so a level finish would send the Diamondbacks through.
The standings have tightened after three consecutive Phillies losses and six straight Arizona wins. Philadelphia scored two runs across its three-game skid; Arizona scored 48 during its winning run.
The teams split their season series 3-3. Arizona’s stronger intradivision record gives it the tiebreak advantage.
Philadelphia can clinch on Saturday with a win over Tampa Bay and an Arizona loss to San Diego. The Phillies would also secure the place by winning both remaining games, regardless of Arizona’s results.
Both teams plan bullpen games on Saturday. If the race remains unresolved, Philadelphia could turn to Zack Wheeler on Sunday, which may affect his availability for the Wild Card Series.
