Phillies in control of postseason fate with 5 series left

The Phillies still have a good chance to make the postseason for the first time in nine years

Following Tuesday’s doubleheader split against the Boston Red Sox at Citizens Bank Park, the Philadelphia Phillies still find themselves right in the middle of the postseason chase in the National League.

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Currently ranked as the fifth-seeded team, the Phillies’ chances to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2011 look favorable. But, they will still need to remain competitive — especially against the looming Miami Marlins in their upcoming seven-game set at Marlins Park — in order to avoid another late-season collapse.

National League Postseason Standings, through September 8

• 1st Seed, NL West-1:  Los Angeles Dodgers (31- 12, .721)
• 2nd Seed, NL Central-1: Chicago Cubs (25-18, .581)
• 3rd Seed, NL East-1: Atlanta Braves (24-18, .571)
• 4th Seed, NL West-2: San Diego Padres (27-17, .614)
• 5th Seed, NL East-2: Philadelphia Phillies (21-18, .538)
• 6th Seed, NL Central-2: St. Louis Cardinals (18-17, .514)
• 7th Seed, Wild Card: Miami Marlins (19-18, .514)
• 8th Seed, Wild Card: San Francisco Giants (22-21, .512)

Following Wednesday’s off day, the Phillies have 21 more games to play across 18 days, including four seven-inning doubleheaders. While the shortened games sound like a positive, the Phillies have not swept a doubleheader since September2012 against the Colorado Rockies, notes The Athletic’s Meghan Montemurro. Their doubleheader record since is 0-11-8. The most recent of the eight splits includes the one against the Red Sox on Tuesday, in which the Phillies won Game 1 thanks to Alec Bohm‘s walk-off, but fell in Game 2 despite a strong start from Vince Velasquez.

Of manager Joe Girardi‘s squad’s five remaining opponents across the 21 games, the Miami Marlins (NL, 7th seed), Toronto Blue Jays (AL, 5th seed), and Tampa Bay Rays (AL, 1st seed) currently hold postseason spots, whereas the New York Mets and Washington Nationals are currently seeded 11th and 13th respectively in the National League.

Remaining 2020 Schedule

Wednesday, September 9 — Off Day
Thursday, September 10 — at Miami Marlins — 6:40 p.m.
Friday, September 11 — at Miami Marlins — 5:10 p.m.
Friday, September11 — at Miami Marlins — 8:10 p.m.
Saturday, September 12 — at Miami Marlins — 6:10 p.m.
Sunday, September 13 — at Miami Marlins — 1:10 p.m.
Sunday, September 13 — at Miami Marlins — 4:10 p.m.
Monday, September 14 — at Miami Marlins — 4:10 p.m.
Tuesday, September 15 — vs. New York Mets — 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday, September 16 — vs. New York Mets — 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 17 — vs. New York Mets — 7:00 p.m.
Friday, September 18 — at Toronto Blue Jays (Citizens Bank Park) — 4:05 p.m.
Friday, September 18 — vs. Toronto Blue Jays — 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, September 19 — vs. Toronto Blue Jays — 6:05 p.m.
Sunday, September 20 — vs. Toronto Blue Jays — 3:05 p.m.
Monday, September 21 — at Washington Nationals — 6:05 p.m.
Tuesday, September 22 — at Washington Nationals — 3:05 p.m.
Tuesday, September 22 — at Washington Nationals — 6:05 p.m.
Wednesday, September 23 — at Washington Nationals — 6:05 p.m.
Thursday, September 24 — Off Day
Friday, September 25 — at Tampa Bay Rays — 6:40 p.m.
Saturday, September 26 — at Tampa Bay Ray — 6:40 p.m.
Sunday, September 27 — at Tampa Bay Ray — 3:10 p.m.

The Phillies have never qualified for the postseason as anything but the division leader. They trail the Braves by just 1 1/2 games, and there is still a chance to catch up, especially with their ace Max Fried currently sidelined on the injured list.

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Surely, the remaining slate of the shortened 2020 Phillies season will be interesting. ESPN currently gives the Phillies a 89.7 percent chance to make the playoffs. So, as of now, the club remains in control of its own fate to do so for the first time in nine years.