Blue Jays beat Phillies 4-2

After a 7-2 win over the Mets, the Phillies’ magic number to clinch the playoffs is now three.

Kerkering has an 18.68 ERA in four appearances in September and Don Mattingly said it was "hard to find places" to use him. Also, Jesús Luzardo and Jonathan Bowlan played catch for the first time.

The Phillies came through with five hits with runners in scoring position Saturday against the Mets,

Rookie Alex McFarlane is a top righty option in the bullpen, alongside Shugart. Mattingly also offered injury updates on Jonathan Bowlan and Jesús Luzardo.

Wheeler is pitching as well as ever, one year removed from a career-threatening condition. With one year left on his contract, his future with the Phillies beyond 2027 is uncertain.

The major problem with having writers as Hall of Fame voters is that they end up having to cover a story that they themselves have created.

Urquidy introduced himself with 4⅔ scoreless innings. His presence was another sign the Phillies' pitching staff is leaking oil.

The two pitchers attended Calvary Christian, a powerhouse that won the Class 4A state championship in 2016 with Scott and in 2018 with Scott and Painter.

Bowlan, the Phillies' primary setup man, says this injury isn't as "extreme" as the one he suffered in April, and interim manager Don Mattingly explained why they're leaving him on the active roster.

But reliever Jonathan Bowlan left the game with right groin tightness and will be evaluated further Friday.

With the Brewers coming to town, the former Phillies GM joined The Inquirer's baseball show to discuss his current and former teams.

Claimed off waivers, Urquidy will be counted on the eat innings as a bulk reliever for the Phillies, who have a hole in the rotation due to Jesús Luzardo’s injury.

The Phillies are looking for their third straight division title as they try to chase down the Braves, but their clearest path to the MLB postseason is currently via the wild-card spot.

With the NL East appearing out of reach, the Phillies are in a fight for the top wild-card spot.

Wheeler allowed just four hits and struck out five. The Phillies' offense worked a season-high 13 walks, but left 13 on base. Their magic number for a playoff berth reduced to six.

Since July 1, when he was batting .319, Marsh has hit .176 with a .470 OPS. Teams “have made an adjustment to him, and then we’ve got to make it back,” interim manager Don Mattingly said.

The bullpen, baserunning, and defense are a mess and Luzardo is out. But the starting pitching is still good. Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto need to step up now.

Jonathan Bowlan gave up a three-run pinch-hit homer to Washington's Daylen Lile in the seventh inning. The Phillies have dropped four of their last five games.

Will Luzardo be ready for the playoffs? “I can’t say 100% I’m going to start for this team, but that’s the goal,” he said.

Today's advice from Dear Abby.

The Tohono O'odham, whose land stretches from Arizona into the Mexican state of Sonora, has long been caught in disputes between two countries that did not exist when their ancestors settled here.

Smith, who finished with 117 receiving yards and a touchdown, came up big during the Eagles' game-winning drive.

Through two games, the line has been shaky in the Eagles' wins, but "I don’t want anyone to panic," Jordan Mailata said.

The airline will begin serving the nonstop route next June.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said he wants the city’s police department to be involved in the investigation so it can provide “clear, third-party eyes” in the process.