As opening day nears, the Phillies’ center-field competition heats up | Podcast

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.

One user claimed that the lowlight video of the new Sixer "confirms he’s the Greatest Ever." James, the oldest active NBA player, is 41 years old.

The proposal includes a playground, dog park, and pickleball and basketball courts.

It’s understandable that Cavan Sullivan gets the most hype of the trio of young Union stars on Mauricio Pochettino's latest roster. But Pierre's turn is on the way, and he has earned the right to it.

Clavicular, whose real name is Braden Peters, is known for his livestreams that have made him the face of an online subculture dedicated to improving male attractiveness.

New Jersey joined a coalition of seven other states over attempts to cancel two big offshore wind leases and pay those companies to develop fossil fuel or geothermal projects instead.

An official said a female Army officer experienced a fatal medical emergency Friday while flying to the Middle East. The death was added to the Defense Department’s public casualty database Monday.