Plotting the Philadelphia Phillies Path to the Division Title and Postseason

The Philadelphia Phillies haven't experienced the postseason in over a decade. While the hopes have been high the past few seasons due to the arrivals of Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, and Zack Wheeler, the team has fallen out of playoff contention in September year after year.

With the Phillies just three games out of the National League East race and 4.5 back from the second NL Wild Card spot, they have a real shot to play more than 162 games. That chance has been a rarity in Philadelphia this time of year since 2011.

So, how can they finally get over the hump this season?

For starters, Philadelphia has one of the easiest remaining schedules. Yes, that has been a storyline since August, but other than their first series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, they have taken relative advantage of the schedule.

Their next five games are at home against a historically bad Baltimore Orioles squad and then they welcome the Pittsburgh Pirates for their final homestand of the regular season. Both of those teams would love to play spoiler, but the Phillies need to keep their eyes on the prize: a division title. And for that to happen, they need to win as many as possible to keep it close with the first-place Atlanta Braves.

Meanwhile, Atlanta plays Arizona, equally as enticing a matchup as Philadelphia will enjoy, but then the Braves will take on the San Diego Padres this weekend. That is where the Phillies can truly make up some ground.

Now, if the Phillies can come out of the weekend series against the Pirates only a game down, or perhaps even with the Braves, then the series with Atlanta next week will be must-watch television.

Considering the marquee matchup between the two teams atop the NL East is the penultimate series of the season, there could still be some shuffling heading into the last three days of the season.

Of course, the Phillies would like to take advantage, make a few statements, and ground this week, then take the series in Atlanta. After that, all they have to do is beat the Miami Marlins. Sounds easy enough right?

There is also the Wild Card route. At this point, the St. Louis Cardinals have put their foot on the gas and it doesn't look like they will let up. The Cincinnati Reds are three games back and then the Phillies at 4.5 games back.

The divisional route seems to be the most viable route barring complete collapses from two teams. At least Philadelphia has some semblance of controlling their own destiny in the NL East.

Okay, that was a lot. So, what do the Phillies have to do to taste the postseason? Beat the teams you're supposed to beat this week. Hope the Padres take the weekend series against the Braves. Take it to the house early next week in Atlanta. And stop losing to the Marlins.

12 games to go.

Easy day.

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