Phillies Return to Playoffs for the 1st Time in 11 Years

The Philadelphia Phillies have only won seven of their last 18 games, but number seven was a big one. The Phillies shut out the Houston Astros 3-0 on October 3rd, clinching the third and final Wild Card playoff slot in the National League and ending Philadelphia’s 11 year playoff drought.

Starter Aaron Nola went into the seventh inning with a perfect game; he pitched 6 2/3 innings allowing two hits and no walks, striking out nine Astros. Kyle Schwarber hit a pair of home runs for the Phillies; he leads the National League with 46 homers.

Philadelphia had an inauspicious start to the season, firing manager Joe Girardi after a 22-29 start and replacing him with interim manager Rob Thomson. Thomson has probably earned the job for next season without the interim label.