Philadelphia

Phillies

Wheeler struck out five while throwing 67 pitches. He deserves a spot on NL Cy Young ballots in spite of his 3.61 ERA, but it seems unlikely that he’ll finish in the top three of the balloting. He’s due to get the start in Game 1 of the Phillies’ Wild Card series next week.

One of the few regulars in the lineup for the Phillies after the team clinched Tuesday, Harper had one of his best games of the season, collecting three extra-base hits for the first time in 2023. His homer was a 427-foot blast off Jose Hernandez.

Suárez’s status as the Phillies’ No. 3 starter didn’t appear to be in much doubt a week ago, but he wound up allowing 10 runs in his last two starts, taking his ERA from 3.80 to 4.18. He’d still seem to be a likely starter in the Wild Card series, but his hook could be really quick if he doesn’t get off to a good start.

It’s Soto’s first save since July 26. It’d be great if the Phillies could trust him in big situations in October, but he’s been awfully inconsistent in amassing a 4.70 ERA in 59 1/3 innings this season.

Stubbs appeared to have celebrated even more than most of his teammates after clinching Tuesday, but he was clearly able to shake it off. The homer came in his 115th plate appearance of the season. He had five homers in 121 plate appearances as J.T. Realmuto’s backup last year.

Thomson also added that Aaron Nola will not make another regular-season start and take the ball for Game 2 of the NLDS on extra rest. Wheeler remains scheduled to take the ball on Thursday against the Pirates to make his first postseason start on regular rest.

Bryce Harper, though, is starting at first. Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh are also in there, as, unlike the old days in September, a team can’t carry a backup for every spot. It’s Schwarber’s first day off against Aug. 9 and one of the very rare times in his career that he’s been a healthy scratch against a righty.

Stott must be a huge fan of the rule changes MLB implemented before the season. He stole his 31st base of the season Tuesday night, and he has easily blown past his previous career high of 12 swipes, which came last season. To go along with all those steals, the 25-year-old is also hitting .277/.332/.439, an outstanding follow-up to his rookie campaign.

Nola was outstanding Tuesday night, limiting the Pirates to just four hits and striking out eight over 90 pitches. The lone run was a solo homer off Bryan Reynolds’ bat in the top of the seventh inning. The right-hander’s fastball and knuckle curve were outstanding, generating 12 of his 17 swinging strikes. With the eight-strikeout night, he has reached 200-plus strikeouts in each of the last five seasons, excluding the 2020 season, and became the first Phillies pitcher to complete that feat in five consecutive seasons. There remains a slight possibility he will make one more start, which would be on Sunday against the Tigers, but if not, Nola finishes the season with a 4.46 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 202/45 K/BB ratio across 193 2/3 innings.

Ellis passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment last Friday and will likely elect to stick around with the Phillies as extra position player depth heading into the postseason.