PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies have endured a frustrating final week of the regular season, but despite the late collapse, they still control a path to the postseason.
After a four-game losing streak, an offense that has struggled to produce, and a pitching staff forced into difficult decisions, the Phillies enter Sunday’s regular-season finale knowing exactly what is at stake: beat the Tampa Bay Rays, and they are headed back to the playoffs.
The Phillies will turn to ace Zack Wheeler with their postseason hopes on the line, hoping the veteran right-hander can deliver the performance needed to end a difficult stretch and send Philadelphia into October.
It is a far different position from where the team expected to be only a few weeks ago.
Philadelphia opened September with a 6½-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks for the final National League wild-card position. Since then, the Phillies have gone 9-14 and watched their advantage shrink dramatically.
The latest setback came Saturday night, when Tampa Bay overwhelmed Philadelphia 12-1 at Citizens Bank Park.
The loss extended the Phillies’ losing streak to four games and put even more pressure on Sunday’s finale. Philadelphia’s offense has been particularly quiet during the series, producing only 11 hits and one run through the first two games against Tampa Bay.
The Phillies have also gone 64 innings with only one home run, illustrating just how difficult things have become at the plate.
Catcher J.T. Realmuto has been caught in the middle of that offensive struggle. The veteran has gone 0-for-34, adding to the frustration surrounding a lineup that has struggled to generate consistent production.
“This isn’t the time of year to go cold,” Realmuto said.
Philadelphia’s pitching situation has also been tested.
Aaron Nola was asked to make the first short-rest start of his career Saturday after the Phillies decided they needed to take a chance with their postseason position becoming increasingly uncertain.
The gamble did not work.
Nola lasted only 21 pitches and surrendered three runs in the first inning. Tampa Bay made solid contact throughout his brief outing, and the Phillies were forced to rely heavily on their bullpen.
Six relievers eventually appeared for Philadelphia, with José Alvarado and José Urquidy among those who struggled as the Rays continued to add to their lead.
By the sixth inning, Tampa Bay had built a 10-0 advantage, and many Phillies fans began leaving Citizens Bank Park despite having stayed through a rain delay.
The frustration inside the ballpark reflected the growing concern around a team that had appeared to be comfortably positioned for another postseason appearance only weeks earlier.
Yet Philadelphia received an important boost elsewhere in the National League standings.
The San Diego Padres defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-7, keeping Arizona one game behind the Phillies for the final NL wild-card position.
That result means Philadelphia can clinch its fifth consecutive postseason appearance with a victory Sunday. The Phillies would also secure the playoff spot if Arizona loses to San Diego.
Still, the path has become much more complicated than it needed to be.
Wheeler’s availability is now a major storyline. Using him in the regular-season finale could affect his ability to start Game 1 or Game 2 of a potential NL Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves. Depending on how Sunday unfolds, the decision could even affect his availability for the entire series.
“We’re always confident when that guy’s on the mound,” Realmuto said.
Interim manager Don Mattingly said the Phillies briefly considered moving Wheeler’s start forward by a day but ultimately decided to keep him lined up for the finale.
Philadelphia could also have Jesús Luzardo available. The All-Star left-hander remains on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation but can be activated Sunday if needed.
The Phillies are also dealing with the absence of Luis Arraez, who is sidelined indefinitely with a severely sprained left ankle. His injury has forced Mattingly to shuffle the lineup, with Bryce Harper returning to first base, Bryan De La Cruz starting in right field and Bryson Stott remaining at second.
Trea Turner has moved into the leadoff position, while Kyle Schwarber has been shifted to the No. 2 spot.
Despite those changes, Philadelphia has yet to find an offensive spark.
The Phillies had an opportunity to clinch a wild-card berth as early as Wednesday, but their recent slide has turned what looked like a comfortable postseason race into a tense final-day scenario.
“We’ve got to come out and play our best baseball tomorrow,” Realmuto said. “That’s really all there is.”
Now, the Phillies have one game left to change the tone of their season.
With Wheeler on the mound and their postseason hopes hanging in the balance, Philadelphia has an opportunity to put the recent struggles behind it, secure the final NL wild-card berth and begin October with a clean slate
