The 2026 Philadelphia Phillies won't join their 1964 brethren in the annals of franchise ignominy.
After four consecutive losses that imperiled a playoff berth that long ago seemed secured, the Phillies took a deep breath, handed the ball to ace Zack Wheeler and recorded their 88th victory of the season, just enough to provide their fifth consecutive playoff berth.
Wheeler gave up one run in six innings and a club starving for offense received fifth-inning home runs from Bryce Harper and Edmundo Sosa to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 at a rain-soaked Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, Sept. 27.
With the victory, the Phillies advance to play division rival Atlanta in the best-of-three wild card series beginning Tuesday at Truist Park.
And they're also free
to once again show their faces around town.
CLINCHED. pic.twitter.com/oZ5k3vwx1c
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 27, 2026
Interim manager Don Mattingly moved to put the terrible final month and week behind the Phillies as he addressed the club before they popped the obligatory champagne.
""It's just the start," Mattingly told his club. "(Expletive) that. It doesn't matter how you get in. And we're (expletive) in."
It wasn't just that the Phillies clenched up instead of clinching in these final days of September. They were lifeless, their lineup scoring just three runs in their past four losses and ranking 29th or 30th this month in all significant offensive categories.
All the while, the Arizona Diamondbacks went on a six-game winning streak and trimmed the Phillies' lead to one game entering the 162nd and final game of the season. The Phillies needed a win or a Diamondbacks loss or they'd go home.
And then Bryson Stott scorched a ball to the wall in right field that Jonny DeLuca could not haul in, and the Phillies had a first-inning run. And a 1-0 lead.
And slowly, it got easier from there.
Get Braves vs Phillies playoff tickets
Wheeler survived a high-pitch first inning to give up just one run in the fifth, trimming Philadelphia's lead to 4-1. The Phillies immediately responded, Harper and Sosa homering and Stott doubling and scampering home on a sacrifice fly.
The club even got Jesus Luzardo on the mound for the first time since his 110-pitch shutout of Atlanta on Labor Day. He emerged with shoulder inflammation days later and has not pitched since.
But he worked a scoreless inning, giving the Phillies hope that Wheeler, Luzardo and lefty Cristopher Sanchez will be good to go in the postseason.
Hours earlier, it felt like such talk was irrelevant. And any mention of 1964 in Philly is never a good sign - those Phillies blew a 6 ½-game lead with 12 to play.
These guys just needed to win one game. They did so in the nick of time.
Phillies playoff schedule
*If Philadelphia clinches wild card. Game 3 time subject to change
- Game 1: at Braves – buy tickets – 2 p.m. ET
- Game 2: at Braves – buy tickets – 2 p.m. ET
- Game 3: at Braves – buy tickets – 2 p.m. ET
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Phillies avoid historic choke to clinch fifth straight MLB playoff trip
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
