That scenario depends on the Braves and Mets losing all their M-W games and then people realizing that at least one of them can't catch the Phils cause of their head to head. Guessing the Phils wouldn't want to celebrate a berth much at all, especially if it happens like that.
Yeah I don't think they will celebrate clinching the 6th spot - or even the 4th spot - at all. Acknowledge it, sure. But the curtains don't hang until the NL East is on the line. I'm sure they packed the goggles.
2
(phils social media pic)
Magic Number is certainly much more complicated than in the old days when the winners of the two leagues went directly to the World Series.
While I generally like much from the "old days," I do enjoy the expanded post season.
Braves lose. Clinch berth magic number down to three.
Dodgers lose, Phillies up by two for NL homefield advantage.
I thought it was already three (three wins, I know. But hopefully heading for two either way tonight).
Incidentally they did put the plastic up in Milwaukee yesterday. Dunno if that was only in the event of the division (which was mathematically possible) or if they plan to party for just playoff berth.
The magic number is still 5. Braves are in third place. The Mets are in second. It goes down to 4 when the Phillies win in a few minutes.
Franzke says if Phils win tonight and tomorrow and either the Braves or Mets lose tomorrow the Phils are in, which would mean a weird magic number of 2 with a win tonight. Cause of the Atl/NY series.
But we're talking about the playoff number not the NL East number. As EF says the Atlanta-NY head-to-head has something to do with it.
I would like to get all of this over with and then lose some games to the Mets to put the Braves out of it. (I know, be careful what you wish for, but: Sale, Fried, Schwellenbach).
Phils win tomorrow the worst they could finish is 92-70.
Braves have lost 70 already. So for them to tie the Phils they'd have to win out, which means the Mets would have at least 71 losses, so that's how the Phils get in tomorrow.
Sorry, in my mind, all that matters this regular season is winning the NL East so I have a one track mind.
