In a night filled with baseball drama, the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers clinched playoff berths, thanks in part to a critical error by the Chicago Cubs.
Phillies’ Dramatic Wild-Card Victory The Philadelphia Phillies were on the cusp of securing a wild-card spot, and they did so in exhilarating fashion, prevailing over the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 3-2 extra-innings thriller. Johan Rojas emerged as the hero, delivering a walk-off single in the 10th inning that brought Cristian Pache home and sealed the win for the Phillies.
With this thrilling victory, the Phillies nabbed the fourth seed, earning the privilege of hosting the wild-card round. Their jubilation was compounded when the Milwaukee Brewers clinched the NL Central later that evening. Despite the Brewers falling to the St. Louis Cardinals, their divisional triumph was solidified as the Atlanta Braves orchestrated a comeback to vanquish the Chicago Cubs with a final score of 7-6.
Cubs’ Stunning Collapse
The Chicago Cubs had taken an imposing 6-0 lead against the Braves but suffered a catastrophic collapse, relinquishing seven unanswered runs. The game-deciding runs materialized due to a pivotal Seiya Suzuki error in the eighth inning. Despite this setback, the Cubs remain in contention for a wild-card spot.
Ebb and Flow of the Phillies vs. Pirates
The Phillies had initially taken a 2-0 lead against the Pirates, with Brandon Marsh delivering a pivotal solo home run in the sixth inning, shattering a scoreless deadlock. Bryce Harper contributed with a crucial sacrifice fly. However, the Pirates rallied, aided by home runs from Bryan Reynolds and Henry Davis, knotting the game.
Phillies Postseason Return
The Phillies’ secured postseason berth marks their second consecutive appearance in the playoffs. Their unexpected journey to the World Series last year as a wild-card team garnered widespread attention, though they ultimately fell short against the Houston Astros. This playoff run follows a decade-long absence from the postseason, with their last appearance dating back to 2011, which included a memorable World Series victory in 2008.
Brewers’ Return to Postseason
In contrast, the Milwaukee Brewers return to the postseason for the second time in three years after missing out in 2022.
Cubs’ Playoff Dilemma
As the Chicago Cubs keep their hopes alive for a wild-card spot, they now face the decision of which potential playoff opponent they would prefer to face: the Brewers or the Phillies.
Assessing Potential Foes
Considering the Cubs’ performance this season against both teams, there is no clear-cut advantage. Against the Phillies, they posted a 1-5 record, losing two out of three games in Philadelphia and suffering a sweep at Wrigley Field. Noteworthy individual performances against the Phillies included Cody Bellinger batting an impressive .364 and Christopher Morel leading with three home runs. Dansby Swanson, familiar with the Phillies from his time in Atlanta, also hit two home runs.
However, the Phillies’ offense significantly improved in the second half of the season, with key players like Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and Trea Turner displaying impressive performances that could pose a challenge to the Cubs’ pitching staff.
On the other hand, the Brewers presented a different challenge. The Cubs managed a 5-5 record against them, with notable performances from players like Swanson, Ian Happ, and Bellinger. The Brewers’ strength in the second half of the season stemmed from their formidable pitching staff, causing hitters to struggle. Notable relievers like Devin Williams, Abner Uribe, and Hoby Milner bolstered the bullpen’s effectiveness. Additionally, catcher William Contreras emerged as a potent hitter, boasting a .314 batting average and an OPS of .882 since the All-Star break.
Cubs’ Preference for the Brewers
Despite the challenges posed by both teams, the Cubs might lean toward facing the Brewers, considering the possibility of playing in front of a home crowd at American Family Field and the opportunity to closely scrutinize the Brewers’ relievers.
Furthermore, the prospect of facing the Atlanta Braves rather than the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS could favor either the Brewers or the Phillies, given the Braves’ remarkable offensive prowess.
In Conclusion
As the Cubs continue their quest for a wild-card spot, they must contend with the unique challenges presented by their potential playoff opponents, the Phillies and the Brewers. Regardless of their adversary, the Cubs aspire to secure a coveted playoff berth, and meaningful September baseball is a welcome sight for fans and the team alike.
