Phillies’ odds to make postseason for first time since 2011 are strong
The Philadelphia Phillies might actually do it.
They might finally end their playoff appearance drought, the longest in the National League.
It’s hard to believe that 2011 was over a decade ago and that the Phillies have struggled so much since then. But with the Golden Era way back in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look forward.
At the end of May, a week before firing Joe Girardi and subsequently going on a hot streak, the Phillies were hovering at around a 30% chance of making the playoffs. Over the last 30 days, their odds have improved by 26.8%, the biggest positive change in the entire National League, and in all of MLB, second only to the Seattle Mariners, whose own hot streak skyrocketed their chances by a whopping 73.3% over that same span. Currently, they’re on even footing with the Atlanta Braves; Baseball-Reference gives them both a 70.4% chance of claiming one of the three Wild Cards.
Can the Phillies clinch a Wild Card for the first time in franchise history?
The Phillies have never made a postseason appearance by way of the Wild Card, only by winning their division. So, if they do end their drought this fall, it will be a historic achievement for the franchise.
While the Phillies might not have the best chance to win the pennant (WynnBet puts them at +2000, behind the Dodgers, Mets, Braves, Padres, Brewers, and Cardinals), the achievement of reaching the postseason would still be enormous. Besides, anything can happen in the postseason. Often, the underdog stories and stunning upsets are the best part, for the ones doing the upsetting, anyway.
There’s still plenty of baseball left to be played, and unfortunately, Phillies fans know all too well about September collapses. Hopefully, the front office’s decisions at the upcoming trade deadline fortify the team so they can finally make this chance a reality.
Phillies will need to make history to clinch a postseason berth
With the Mets and Braves ahead in the standings, the only chance the Phillies have of reaching the postseason is by clinching their first-ever wild card.