London LONDON. Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies clinched their third consecutive playoff berth with a 12-2 win over the New York Mets on Friday night. After ensuring at least a National League wild card, the Phillies can clinch their first NL East title since 2011 with another win against the second-place Mets at Citi Field this weekend. With the division crown so close, Philadelphia planned a quiet celebration after Friday night's game – hoping to unwind with a drunken clubhouse bash soon after capturing first place.
Seeking their third World Series championship, the Phillies overtook Atlanta for the division lead on May 3 and have not trailed since.Philadelphia (92-62) has the best record in the major leagues and is on track for a first-round bye in the playoffs. This is the third time the Phillies have reached the postseason three consecutive years (1976-78 and 2007-11).
Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos have carried the offense, while Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez and Christopher Sanchez anchor the pitching staff on a team largely unchanged from 2023.Philadelphia won five consecutive NL East titles from 2007-11, then didn't make the playoffs for 10 years. As a wild-card entry the past two postseasons, the Phillies made consecutive October runs that ended in heartbreak.
They reached the 2022 World Series, losing to Houston in six games, and last year lost a seven-game NL Championship Series to Arizona after leading the underdog Diamondbacks 2-0 and 3-2.So this time around, the Phillies want to go all-in and finally get the job done. Philadelphia's only World Series championships came in 1980 and 2008.
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