With their 3-0 win over the Astros in Houston, the Phillies locked up the final playoff spot up for grabs, an NL Wild Card spot. It ends an 11-year playoff drought in Philadelphia and officially closes the door on any other postseason hopefuls. “I am very proud to be associated with all our players, coaches, sports staff”, explained Rob Thomson to the club’s dressing room after qualifying. “We’re not done yet. We have 13 more wins to be world champions. Congratulations”.
For the Phillies, qualification has a special flavor since they changed managers during the actual season. Joe Girardi started the year in the dugout at Citizens Bank Park and was fired after 51 games
If Atlanta loses again today, New York can even the race on the final day if it sweeps its doubleheader with Washington Nationals . The Atlanta Braves can clinch the division with a win or a Mets loss on either Tuesday or Wednesday, though, as they hold the tiebreaker.
The Toronto Blue Jays locked up the top spot in the AL Wild Card race after beating the Baltimore Orioles (1-5) in a shorted game while the Seattle Mariners lost to the Detroit Tigers (3-4).
With that, the American League bracket is almost set. However, everything is still not decided before the postseason starts on Oct.7.
Santiago de la Peña
