The Philadelphia Phillies clinched their first NL East title since 2011, securing the division with an impressive 6-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Monday night.
With Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto hitting home runs, the excitement among Phillies fans reached a fever pitch. Pitcher Aaron Nola showcased his talent, hinting at the potential joy the franchise could experience if they advance deep into the postseason.
Before the game, the Phillies had a rolled tarp above the clubhouse locker stalls, a familiar sight signaling the celebrations ahead for a team that has made the playoffs for three consecutive seasons under the leadership of manager Rob Thomson.
“We know there’s a really big picture ahead of us,” Schwarber stated prior to the game. “Winning the division is significant. If we go out there and do our thing tonight, it’s going to be well deserved. It’s never easy to win this division, and it will definitely be a cool moment.”
The atmosphere in Philadelphia was electric, with a sellout crowd of 42,386 fans enjoying temperatures in the 60s—an early taste of October weather.
This climate is perfect for the team.
Having already clinched at least a National League wild card last week, Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and their teammates celebrated the franchise’s 12th division championship, aiming for the top seed in the National League playoffs.
The Phillies (93-64) currently sit in the No. 2 position, just behind the Los Angeles Dodgers (93-63), and would secure a first-round bye if the standings remain the same.
Thomson expressed his priorities: “The biggest things for me are winning the division and getting the bye. If we can secure home field throughout, that’s a bonus. But I won’t put our players at risk to achieve that.”
The Phillies have two remaining games against the Cubs and will finish the season with a three-game series in Washington.
As playoff appearances have become routine for the Phillies, the sense of inevitability may have kept some fans away. Despite a sensational season that saw game after game sell out, there were noticeable gaps in the stands at Citizens Bank Park, which recorded over 3.2 million fans this year.
Thomson recalled a rival coach once telling him that a playoff game in Philadelphia felt like “four hours of hell.”
“I believe it’s the best atmosphere in sports,” said All-Star reliever Jeff Hoffman. “It feels like it’s 50,000 against nine. Stepping onto the field always brings a good feeling.”
Fans were greeted with the message “CLINCHED” displayed on the videoboard outside Citizens Bank Park, while the main entrance showcased Harper and Nola on a “Make More HISTORY” banner.
Philadelphia ended Atlanta’s streak of six consecutive NL East titles and is now focused on securing the best record in Major League Baseball to gain home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
With a quest for their third World Series title following victories in 1980 and 2008, the Phillies took over the division lead from Atlanta on May 3 and have not looked back since.
The Phillies previously dominated the NL East from 2007 to 2011, winning five straight titles, but faced a decade-long playoff drought. They have been wild-card entries in the last two seasons, making consecutive playoff runs that ended in disappointment.
Last year, they reached the 2022 World Series, only to fall to the Houston Astros in six games, and lost a seven-game NL Championship Series to Arizona after leading the underdog Diamondbacks 2-0 and 3-2.
The road to this division title was not without its challenges. After starting the season with the best 50-game record in the majors since Seattle in 2001, the Phillies faced a summer slump and returned home this week from a disappointing 2-5 road trip against Milwaukee and the New York Mets.
Both teams are potential playoff opponents.
It was fitting that the 31-year-old Nola took the mound for the clinching game. A first-round draft pick in 2014, he has been a consistent presence for the Phillies throughout his career. His reliability as a pitcher is invaluable, especially in today’s game, where bullpens are heavily relied upon.
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Nola played a crucial role in helping Philadelphia secure an NL wild card last year, posting a 3-1 record with a 2.35 ERA in four playoff starts. In 2022, he made five postseason starts, finishing with a 2-2 record and a 4.91 ERA.
He briefly explored free agency last offseason before signing a seven-year contract worth $172 million to remain with the Phillies.
His commitment has now led to another chance to pursue a World Series title, a dream that has been 16 years in the making.
