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 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), get home-field in the playoffs (still obtainable), 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 and how they could still obtain home-field advantage in the Division and Championship series.
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 guaranteed themselves at least the No. 2 seed in the National League, which comes with home field in the Division Series, but they can still finish as the NL's top dog. Only the Los Angeles Dodgers can finish ahead of them.
Here's a breakdown of what's to come as the final weekend of the regular season approaches.
The Phillies do not control their destiny to finish as the NL's top seed, but there are several paths to it. The No. 1 seed in the NL comes with home field in the Division Series and Championship Series.
Entering Friday, the Phillies (94-65) are one game behind the Dodgers (95-64) for the top seed in the NL. The Dodgers clinched the NL West Thursday night by beating the Padres (91-68). With the win over San Diego, the Padres can no longer get the top seed.
The Phillies have the tiebreaker over the Dodgers because of their head-to-head record against the club. While the Phillies and Padres can still finish with the same record, Philadelphia owns the tiebreaker over San Diego.
Both teams have three games left. The only way the Phillies cannot get the No. 1 seed is if the Dodgers sweep their final three games against the Colorado Rockies. A Los Angeles sweep in Colorado would give the Dodgers 98 wins, more than the Phillies' best possible record of 97-65.
Here are the scenarios where the Phils can lock up the 1-seed:
- 3-0 vs. the Nationals and the Dodgers finishing 2-1 or worse
- 2-1 vs. the Nationals and the Dodgers finishing 1-2 or worse
- 1-2 vs. the Nationals and the Dodgers finishing 0-3 or worse
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.
