The Philadelphia Phillies have a first-round bye. Here's what's next.
Back in spring training, managing partner John Middleton addressed the Phillies. He was still "really pissed" about how 2023 ended.
Middleton has wanted his "f------ trophy back" for 16 years, and he delivered that message again inside a beer-flooded clubhouse last Monday night at Citizens Bank Park when Philadelphia clinched its first NL East title since 2011.
The Phillies set out in March to win the division (check), have a first-round bye (check), and win the World Series (time will tell).
Philadelphia secured a first-round bye in the MLB playoffs Wednesday with a win over the Cubs and the Brewers' loss.
Here's what's next for the Phillies.
When will the Phillies play their first playoff game?
Unlike the past two postseasons, the Phillies are avoiding the Wild Card Series. They will enter the playoffs no worse than the second seed in the National League, which comes with home field in the Division Series.
So, while the MLB playoffs begin Tuesday, the Phillies will have five days off before the NLDS begins next weekend. The Phils' regular season ends Sunday.
The Phillies will host Game 1 of the NLDS next Saturday at Citizens Bank Park. The time and opponent are still to be determined.
What is the NLDS schedule?
While we don't know who the Phillies will face, we do know when they'll play in the five-game NLDS.
Games 1 and 2 are at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday, Oct. 5, and Sunday, Oct. 6.
Games 3 and 4 will be away on Tuesday, Oct. 8, and Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Game 5, if necessary, will be Friday, Oct. 11 at Citizens Bank Park.
How can Phillies fans get tickets?
Last week, the Phillies opened registration for fans to buy playoff tickets. Fans can register to buy tickets online.
The Phils said postseason ticket opportunities are "extremely limited" this year because of increased season ticket sales.
What seed will the Phillies be?
The Phillies are locked into the No. 2 seed in the National League and will have home field in the Division Series. They will face the winner of the Milwaukee Brewers vs. the New York Mets Wild Card Series.
Philadelphia squandered a chance to secure the top seed in the NL during the season's final weekend with two losses to the Washington Nationals. Saturday's 6-3 defeat guaranteed the Phillies couldn't finish tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Home-field advantage in the World Series goes to the National League or American League team with a higher regular-season win percentage. If each club is tied, then the tiebreaker is its head-to-head record.
With Sunday's win in the regular-season finale, the Phillies secured home field if they make it to the World Series. No American League team has a higher regular-season winning percentage than the Phils.