After 13 years, the Philadelphia Phillies might want to wait at the least another day to rejoice.
The Phillies will strive as soon as once more to clinch their first Nationwide League East Division title since 2011 once they open a three-game collection in opposition to the visiting Chicago Cubs on Monday.
Philadelphia (92-64) holds a magic variety of one to safe the NL East crown. The Phillies might have clinched Saturday or Sunday with a win over the second-place New York Mets, however they absorbed a 6-3 defeat on Saturday and a 2-1 setback on Sunday.
“It is disappointing, however on the finish of the day, we are able to go residence and win this factor in entrance of our personal followers,” Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler stated after Sunday’s loss. “Begin enjoying somewhat higher as soon as we get residence and simply attempt to win these subsequent couple collection and simply go into the playoffs scorching. Flip the web page. It is not the tip of the world.”
The Phillies will now flip to Aaron Nola (12-8, 3.54 ERA), who bounced again in his newest outing after two subpar performances. The veteran right-hander held the Milwaukee Brewers to 1 run and three hits in seven innings on Wednesday, placing out 9 in a no-decision.
“Every part felt good,” Nola stated. “My command was fairly good. I felt like I used to be getting early outs. I went deep in a recreation. I really feel prefer it’s been some time.”
Traditionally, Nola has terrific numbers in opposition to the three Cubs who’ve confronted him essentially the most. Dansby Swanson is a profession .233 hitter vs. Nola, whereas Cody Bellinger is barely 3-for-19 with eight strikeouts in opposition to him. Probably the most staggering of all is Ian Happ, who has by no means gotten successful in 15 profession at-bats in opposition to the 31-year-old righty. Nola is 6-2 with a 4.69 ERA in 9 profession begins in opposition to Chicago.
The Cubs’ offense did not want a lot on Sunday, however Mike Tauchman, Michael Busch and Miguel Amaya every homered for Chicago in a 5-0 win over the Washington Nationals. Shota Imanaga was the first star for the hosts, pitching seven crisp innings for his sixth consecutive win.
“We performed a superb all-around recreation,” Cubs supervisor Craig Counsell stated.
Nate Pearson (2-2, 4.71) will get the nod for the Cubs (80-76) on Monday, because the 28-year-old righty makes his first begin since 2021. He has began on the mound 5 instances in 109 profession appearances.
Pearson definitely will likely be aiming to quiet Nick Castellanos and Trea Turner, every of whom registered two hits in Sunday’s contest. Castellanos collected seven hits within the four-game set with New York, whereas Turner has hit safely in seven of his previous eight outings.
The Cubs have been considerably coy relating to their beginning pitchers (and basic plans) for the ultimate week of the season. Regardless of his workforce having been eradicated from playoff competition, Counsell has most popular to disclose the minimal whereas nonetheless saying all the fitting issues.
“Nothing modifications,” Counsell stated earlier than the sport Sunday. “You simply exit and also you play the sport and also you respect the sport, and also you respect your teammates and that is it. That is what you do.”
The Phillies took two of three at Wrigley Subject in early July, posting a pair of shut victories earlier than the Cubs countered with a 10-2 blowout.
–Subject Stage Media
