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Phillies clinch final NL wild-card spot with win over Rays

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 27, 2026, 9:44 PM

Last updated Sep 27, 2026

Phillies clinch final NL wild-card spot with win over Rays

Summary

The Philadelphia Phillies secured the final NL wild-card position by defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 on September 27. Despite a recent four-game losing streak and a sharp decline in performance, Kyle Schwarber's two-run double contributed to a strong comeback. Star pitcher Zack Wheeler added to the victory, allowing just one run over six innings. The win comes after the Phillies faced pressure from the Arizona Diamondbacks, but they ultimately rallied to achieve their fifth consecutive playoff appearance. The Phillies will face the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series next week.

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By the Numbers

•Phillies scored four runs in the second inning against the Rays.
•Zack Wheeler pitched six innings, earning his 14th win of the season.
•Philadelphia faced a recent four-game losing streak before this victory.
•Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto each contributed key hits.
•The Phillies will play the Braves in the Wild Card Series starting next week.

Latest Updates

9:44 PMYahoo Sports — From collapse to clinch, Phillies put last-week meltdown behind them and win final NL wild-card spot

What they're saying

"
Kyle Schwarber belly-flopped more than he actually slid headfirst into second base and popped up with his uniform smudged in dirt. Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said ahead of Wednesday’s game — the first day the team could clinch — that, yes, Philadelphia would wait until midnight if needed to pop the bubbly if it beat Milwaukee and the Diamondbacks lost a time zone away to Colorado.
— Yahoo Sportsby DAN GELSTON

Related Teams & Leagues

Arizona Diamondbacks Philadelphia Phillies Tampa Bay Rays MLB Baseball