Phil Sheridan: PHILS FINISHED

With their magic number down to three, a fifth straight postseason is in sight for the Phillies. But there are plenty of questions going into the final homestand of the regular season.

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 closing in on a wild-card berth.

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.

32BJ represents 2,000 Philadelphia School District building engineers, cleaners, bus drivers, mechanics and tradespeople. Its new contract includes paid parental leave for the first time ever.

So-called cold-air damming is going to make it feel like mid-October.

Gov. Shapiro should seize the opportunity to counter a cruel attack on the state’s communities.

PHL Airport is operating with minimal delays following Monday's FAA ground stoppage that caused hundreds of delays and cancellations in the Northeast.

The home has several recent updates, include a basement waterproofing and new appliances, that add to its appeal.

Plus, Philly Music Fest, Phish, Shaboozey, Low Cut Connie, the Chicks, Sienna Spiro, Geese, Goosemas, and more.