Phillies playoff picture, magic number tracker

Last Updated: Sept. 17 following results of all games.

Red October is almost here.

The Phillies have 13 games left in the regular season. Here’s a primer on what the Phillies need to do to secure a second straight postseason berth and home field advantage in the Wild Card round.

Remaining Schedule

• 3 @ ATL
• 4 vs. NYM
• 3 vs. PIT
• 3 @ NYM

Tiebreakers

The Phillies have the first tiebreaker (head-to-head record) over the following Wild Card contenders:

• Chicago Cubs
• Arizona Diamondbacks
• Cincinnati Reds

If the Phillies finish with the same record as any of these teams above, the Phillies will get the higher seed by virtue of winning the season series.

The Phillies do not have the first tiebreaker against these teams.

• Miami Marlins
• San Francisco Giants

If the Phillies finish with the same record as any of these teams above, the other team will get the higher seed by virtue of winning the season series.

Here are all the other key tiebreakers to keep in mind:

• In addition to holding the tiebreaker against the Phillies, the Miami Marlins hold the tiebreaker against the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks.
• The Arizona Diamondbacks hold the tiebreaker against the Chicago Cubs.
• The Cincinnati Reds hold the tiebreaker against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs.

Road to the First Wild Card

The Phillies currently have a three-game lead (with two games in hand and the tiebreaker) over the Arizona Diamondbacks for the first Wild Card spot in the National League.

By virtue of having the tiebreaker over the Chicago Cubs, the Miami Marlins currently hold the third Wild Card spot in the National League. Both teams carry an identical 78-72 record with 12 to play.

The magic number to clinch the No. 1 seed for the Phillies is 10. Any combination of 10 Phillies wins and Miami Marlins losses will secure home field advantage in the Wild Card round for the Phillies.

It’s a good position for the Phillies to be in with 13 games left to play.

But let’s think about worst case scenarios. The Phillies are 7-9 in September so far and have a knack for making things more difficult than they need to be.

If the Phillies struggle over their last 13 games, here’s what the other contending teams need to do in order to overtake the Phillies in the standings.

What other teams need to do to overtake the Phillies for top WC spot

Here are the current NL Wild Card Standings:

1. Phillies: 81-68 — +3.5 (13 to play)
2. Diamondbacks: 79-72 — +0.5 (11 to play)
3. Marlins: 78-72 (12 to play)
4. Cubs: 78-72 (12 to play)
5. Reds: 78-73 (11 to play)
6. Giants: 76-74 (12 to play)

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