{"id":62650,"date":"2023-09-25T10:00:31","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T14:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=62650"},"modified":"2023-09-24T23:17:55","modified_gmt":"2023-09-25T03:17:55","slug":"phillies-begin-preparing-postseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/09\/25\/phillies-begin-preparing-postseason\/","title":{"rendered":"Phillies Begin Preparing for Postseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Philadelphia Phillies’ postseason preparations are now well underway. After a win against the New York Mets on Sunday, the Phillies magic number is one. This means that any Phillies win or any loss by the Chicago Cubs or Miami Marlins will secure a playoff spot. As things stand, the Phillies are 87-69 and hold a 4 1\/2 game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks for the top NL Wild Card spot. The magic number for the Phillies to clinch that top spot is two. This would give the Phillies the home-field advantage in the NL Wild Card Series. At this point, the Phillies will most likely host the Diamondbacks in an NL Wild Card Series taking place between October 3 and October 5 (if necessary).<\/p>\n

Phillies Begin Postseason Preparations<\/h2>\n

Manager Rob Thomson<\/a> has lined up the starting rotation in a way that will allow Zack Wheeler<\/a> to start Game 1 of the postseason<\/a> on normal rest. Currently, Aaron Nola<\/a> is in line to start Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series. A potential Game 3 would likely be started by Ranger Suarez<\/a> or Cristopher Sanchez<\/a>. Thomson has started the process of moving Michael Lorenzen<\/a> to the bullpen. Sunday’s game saw Lorenzen record a save. According to Sarah Langs and Elias Sports, Lorenzen is the 10th player since saves became an official stat to throw a no-hitter and record a save in the same season. Putting Lorenzen in this position makes sense because this will be a good role for him in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Players Heating Up<\/h3>\n

As the Phillies’ postseason preparations continue, some players are stepping up at the right time. One of those players is Nick Castellanos<\/a>, who played a key role in the Phillies’ playoff run last season. In his last seven games, Castellanos has a .375\/.407\/1.125 line with five home runs and 11 RBI. The first six games of the stretch saw him put up a .563 wOBA along with a 255 wRC+. In addition, Castellanos has hit a home run in three of his last five games. During this hot streak, he set a new career high for RBI in a season with 106, which also leads the Phillies this season and is fourth in the NL. It is the third season where Castellanos has had at least 100 RBI.<\/p>\n

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Nick Castellanos last 12 games
\n\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n

7 HRs
\n17 RBIs
\n.350
\npic.twitter.com\/peadFU0dhu<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) September 24, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n