Phillies swept by Mets in doubleheader, still waiting to learn wild-card opponent

NEW YORK — There was nothing for the Phillies to play for in a doubleheader here Saturday, other than personal statistics and a 90-win season that would look better on paper than 89 victories but do absolutely zilch to improve their playoff positioning.

But, hey, at least they could scoreboard-watch for 18 innings.

Actually, that proved unfulfilling, too. Because while the Phillies should’ve enjoyed navel-gazing this week at the four-team pile-up for the final two National League playoff spots, the tiebreaker math has blurred the identity of their wild-card round opponent — Diamondbacks or Marlins — until Sunday’s season finales — and maybe one day beyond that.

» READ MORE: How did the Phillies avoid the pitfalls that befell the Mets and other big-spending teams in 2023?

“It’s crazy,” Aaron Nola, the Game 2 playoff starter, said before the Phillies got swept, 4-3 and 11-4, by the Mets and Trea Turner left for precautionary reasons with a bruised left elbow. “The Marlins may have to play one inning in a makeup [game scheduled for Monday in New York] — and it could be their season — which is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen.”

OK, so the wild-card chaos did abate slightly Saturday. With a 7-3 victory in Pittsburgh, the Marlins eliminated the swooning Cubs; the pesky Reds got routed, 15-6, in St. Louis, which enabled the Diamondbacks to clinch a playoff spot despite a 1-0 loss to the Astros.

But the best-of-three wild-card series opens Tuesday, and with the Diamondbacks and Marlins vying for seeding, the Phillies are in the unique position of having time to prepare but not knowing which subject to study.

The objective, then, was to get through the weekend healthy, and they were oh-so-close.

In the seventh inning of the nightcap, Turner got hit above the elbow guard by an 87 mph splitter from Mets reliever Reed Garrett. He described the feeling as “a little bit of a dead arm,” but underwent treatment and said he felt better.

“Just going to be a little sore, but should be good,” said Turner, who won’t play Sunday, according to manager Rob Thomson, but is expected to be ready by Tuesday.

» READ MORE: As the postseason looms, the Phillies shuffle their deck ahead of regular season finale series against Mets

By Sunday evening, if the Marlins win, the Phillies’ wild-card matchup with Miami will be set. Otherwise, the Marlins must return to New York to complete the ninth inning of a game last week that got suspended by rain.

The Phillies’ roster won’t change much depending on the opponent. But they could make a few tweaks, regardless, and there were hints of change Saturday.

Righty-hitting utilityman Weston Wilson got recalled from the “stay-ready” camp in Clearwater, Fla., and notched two hits, including an RBI single in the ninth inning, with two stolen bases in the opener against the Mets. He had a 31-homer, 32-steal season in triple A and plays multiple positions, including left field.

Wilson also had a 1.025 OPS against lefties in the minors. The Phillies could put him on the roster over slumping Cristian Pache, especially against the Marlins, who have lefty Jesús Luzardo lined up to start Game 1 and four prominent lefty relievers.

Nola acknowledged the strangeness of having a start scheduled for Wednesday but not knowing which team he will face. He maintained that it doesn’t affect his preparation. Not yet, at least. There will be time, Nola said, to review the specific hitters in the opposing lineup. For now, he’s focused on quality work in his throwing sessions.

“I know their lineups,” Nola said. “Obviously I’ll have to study them a little bit more once it gets closer and we know who we’re going to play.”

» READ MORE: Red October is back as the Phillies clinch the top wild-card spot after a walk-off win

Until then, there are empty innings left to play and an out-of-town scoreboard to watch.

“A lot changes from day to day, and we’re ready to play whoever it may be,” Turner said. “At this time of year, everyone wants to play matchups. Everyone is good. It’s the postseason, so you’re going to be playing a good team no matter what.”

Kyle Schwarber played both games, and in the fourth inning of the nightcap, slugged his 47th homer, surpassing his career-high of 46 last season.

Schwarber went 2-for-8 in the two games, leaving his average at .197. If he plays in the series finale, he would have to go 2-for-2 to finish the season above .200.

Taijuan Walker isn’t scheduled to start until at least an if-necessary Game 3 of the wild card series. With 18 innings to cover, the Phillies pushed him to 106 pitches in the opener against the Mets.

Walker allowed three first-inning runs, bringing his total to 26 (24 earned) in 31 starts and leaving his first-inning ERA at 7.04. Overall, he finished with a 4.38 ERA after signing a four-year, $72 million contract in the offseason.

“A lot of ups and downs,” said Walker, who reached a career-high 172⅔ innings. “I wasn’t as consistent as I wanted to be. But I was glad I was able to come in and give some good innings and make every start. That was a huge goal for me. First year, new team, I felt pretty good about it.”

» READ MORE: Being more athletic is ‘a big difference’ for the Phillies, starting with their dynamic duo up the middle

In his final audition before the postseason, Orion Kerkering gave up one unearned run on one hit, one walk, and an error by Wilson at first base. The hard-throwing rookie reliever is expected to make the playoff roster. ... The Phillies will use lefty Matt Strahm (9-5, 3.32 ERA) as an opener in the regular-season finale Sunday against Mets righty José Butto (1-3, 3.75 ERA).