Phillies need to treat remaining 14 games as must-wins

Just four series remain for the Phillies this season

As the odd 2020 season dwindles, it’s getting to be a bit of a “crunch time” for the Philadelphia Phillies.

While there has been an influx of player injuries as of late, there is good news on the horizon for some — particularly for catcher J.T. Realmuto and starting pitcher Zack Wheeler. The postseason can still happen for the 23-23 Phillies.

Since all six second-place teams in each division will make it to the postseason this year, along with the two Wild Card teams, the Phillies still have a chance to qualify for the postseason for the first time in nine seasons.

Let’s take a look at their upcoming opponents:

After leaving Miami and this crazy schedule of a seven-game, five-day series, the Phillies are heading home for the final homestand, starting with a three-game set against the New York Mets.

Taking the mound for the first game on Tuesday night will be veteran RHP Jake Arrieta; he previously faced the Mets on September 4 and received a win after pitching seven innings and allowing two runs in a 5-3 ballgame. The Phils hope for a similar solid outing from the right-hander.

Immediately after playing the Mets, the Phillies will face the Toronto Blue Jays for a four-game set in three days that includes another doubleheader.

Following the Blue Jays, the Phillies head to D.C. to face the Washington Nationals — another four-game, three-day series that includes a twin bill.

To end the regular season, the Phils will face their 2008 World Series rival Tampa Bay Rays for a three-game set at Tropicana Field.

The team that stands in their way for second place in the National League East is the Miami Marlins, who, with a 1 1/2-game lead over the Joe Girardi-led squad, have the Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves, and New York Mets remaining on their schedule.

With only four series left in this “playoffs-or-bust” season, the Phils need to treat each game as a must-win.