For the third day in a rowThe Philadelphia Phillies can finish the National League East with a win. This time it’s different because Monday is the first day the Phillies can win the division at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies can taste the champagne that’s been put on ice in this clubhouse. The playoff feeling has hit this team, as the playoff spot is secured and the division title is just one win away. First things first: The Phillies must finish a division they have led for 152 consecutive days.
“Everyone knows what’s at stake, right? There’s no nerves or anything,” Kyle Schwarber said. “There’s a really big picture ahead of us, but winning the division is a big deal too. If we go out there and do our thing tonight, it’ll be well-earned. It’s not an easy division to win, and it’s never an easy division, so it’s going to be a cool thing.”
The Phillies can win the NL East for the first time since 2011 with just one win in their last six games. With the New York Mets having a bye on Monday, the fate is in the hands of the Phillies.
The champagne has been on ice for three days, but there is no panic in the clubhouse. The mood is the same as it has been all year round.
“We just kept our routines and preparation and trusted that,” Kody Clemens said. “We all have our special routines and we’ve worked really hard and we’re going to continue to work hard – like we have all year. We’re just preparing like we normally do.”
Latest news on Spencer Turnbull
The The Phillies had Turnbull on the final day of Triple-A Lehigh Valley’s season in a rehab assignment. Turnbull pitched two innings and allowed two runs while allowing a home run as the Phillies prepare him for the postseason.
“He was good,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “He hit 94 and threw mostly strikes. He allowed that home run, but he got through two innings.”
Turnbull hasn’t pitched since June 26 as he recovers from a strained right latissimus dorsi. Thomson said he is scheduled to take batting practice on Friday.
“We’ll do one more up-down,” Thomson said. “If we want, we can even do three ups. It all depends on where we are.”
If the Phillies earn a bye this week, Turnbull would pitch on the taxi squad to prepare for a spot on the postseason roster. The Phillies would likely bring him in if one of the starters has a short assignment or their pitch count gets too high early.
Turnbull’s return would bolster the Phillies’ bullpen, which has a 4.01 ERA since the All-Star break, with more length in the middle innings.
