The Philadelphia Phillies clinched the final National League Wild Card berth on Sunday, Sept.
27, 2026, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays on the last day of the Major League Baseball regular season in Philadelphia.
The result ended a week-long slump that had seen the club's playoff odds drop significantly during a surge by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
It marks Philadelphia's fifth consecutive postseason appearance and sixth straight winning season.
The victory sets up a Wild Card Series against National League East rival the Atlanta Braves, beginning Tuesday at 2 p.
m. ET in Atlanta.
Mattingly's Midseason Turnaround
Interim manager Don Mattingly guided the franchise to a 79-55 record after taking over in late April.
He replaced Rob Thomson, who was dismissed during a 9-19 start.
Under Mattingly, the offense surged in the second half, ranking eighth in runs scored and OPS after sitting 17th and 24th, respectively, before the All-Star break.
Pitching depth remains a key asset entering the postseason, led by left-hander Cristopher Sánchez, who leads all Major League pitchers in WAR, and Jesús Luzardo, who owns a sub-3.00 ERA.
Longtime ace Zack Wheeler also completed a successful comeback season following treatment for thoracic outlet syndrome, making 28 starts.
In the bullpen, closer Jhoan Duran posted a sub-2.00 ERA and sub-2.00 FIP while converting over 90 percent of his save opportunities during his age-28 campaign.
The Wild Card Series schedule announced by MLB features expanded national coverage under a new broadcast agreement.
NBC and Peacock will broadcast the Phillies-Braves series, alongside the American League Wild Card series between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees at 8 p.
m. ET.
In other matchups, the Chicago White Sox face either the Texas Rangers or Houston Astros at 5 p.
m. ET, while the Chicago Cubs visit the San Diego Padres at 10 p.
m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN.
Spanish-language coverage across all series will be provided by Universo and Univision.
