How Many Games Are the Phillies Out of the Wild Card?

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By Eric Wilson

If you’re a Philadelphia Phillies fan, you may be wondering just how many games the team is out of the wild card race. The answer to that question is a little more complicated than a simple number, so let’s break it down.

Understanding the Wild Card

First, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page about what the wild card is. In Major League Baseball (MLB), there are two leagues: the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). Each league has three divisions (East, Central, and West), and the team with the best record in each division at the end of the regular season advances to the playoffs.

But what about teams that don’t win their division? That’s where the wild card comes in. Each league has two wild card spots available for teams that didn’t win their division but still have a good enough record to make it to postseason play.

The Current Wild Card Standings

As of September 15th, 2021, there are still a few weeks left in the regular season. That means things could change quickly, but here’s where things stand right now:

  • American League Wild Card:
    • New York Yankees – 80-64
    • Boston Red Sox – 81-65
    • Toronto Blue Jays – 80-63
  • National League Wild Card:
    • Los Angeles Dodgers – 92-53
    • San Francisco Giants – 93-50
    • San Diego Padres – 74-70

As you can see, there are currently three teams in each league vying for the two wild card spots. The teams with the best records will advance to the playoffs.

Where Do the Phillies Stand?

So, how many games are the Phillies out of the wild card? As of September 15th, they are 4.5 games behind the second NL wild card spot, currently held by the San Diego Padres. That means they have some work to do if they want to make it to the playoffs.

Of course, anything can happen in baseball. The Phillies could go on a winning streak while their competitors falter, or they could suffer a losing streak that knocks them out of contention altogether. That’s what makes baseball such an exciting sport to follow – you never know what’s going to happen next.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Philadelphia Phillies are currently 4.5 games out of the NL wild card race. While that may seem like a daunting deficit, there’s still time left in the season for them to make a comeback and earn a spot in postseason play. As always in baseball, anything can happen – so keep your eye on those standings and root for your favorite team!