Sep 23, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first base Bryce Harper (3) scores a run during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
The third time was the charm for the Phillies.
The Phillies had already clinched a playoff spot with their victory over the New York Mets Friday, but failed to earn the win Saturday or Sunday at Citi Field that would have wrapped up the NL East. Instead they did it at home Monday at Citizens Bank Park against the Chicago Cubs.
J.T. Realmuto hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning, which Kyle Schwarber followed with a solo shot of his own an inning later. The Phillies would tag Cubs pitching for six runs.
Kyle Schwarber 37 HRs & 100 RBIs 💪
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Meanwhile, Aaron Nola – the longest-tenured Phillie — was dominant for the first six innings of Monday's game, before departing with the bases loaded and no one out in the seventh, with one run already across. Strahm would escape the jam having only allowed one additional run. On the night, Nola allowed seven hits and two earned runs over six plus innings, while striking out seven and walking two.
Since 2022, Aaron Nola has started 7 games the Phillies could either a) clinch a postseason berth, b) clinch a postseason series or c) clinch a division title. Nola has posted a 1.62 ERA (8 ER, 44.1 IP) with 46 strikeouts against 7 walks (6.57 SO/BB ratio) in those 7 games.
While it's the third consecutive trip to the postseason for the Phillies, this is their first NL East title since 2011.
The Phillies are still hopeful to claim one of the two first-round byes in the NL playoffs. They entered play Monday with the second-best record in the Senior Circuit, just a game behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. If the Phillies finish with the same record as the Dodgers, they will be the No. 1 seed — which comes with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs — by virtue of their 5-1 record against LA in the regular season.
