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The Philadelphia Phillies overwhelmed the New York Mets 12-2, led by Bohm, securing their playoff spot and getting closer to claiming the NL East title
Alec Bohm had four hits and four RBIs, including a three-run homer, as the Philadelphia Phillies celebrated their third straight playoff appearance by defeating the New York Mets 12-2 on Friday night.
Nick Castellanos contributed with three hits and two RBIs, while J.T. Realmuto hit a two-run homer. With this win, the Phillies (92-62) increased their NL East lead to seven games over the second-place Mets (85-69), with eight games left to play.
As the division title is within reach, the Phillies kept the celebration low-key in the clubhouse, sharing a champagne toast led by Thomson.
“Pretty calm and relaxed from what it usually turns into,” Bohm said with a chuckle.
They are looking forward to a bigger celebration once they secure first place. “It’ll be a little more rowdy, for sure,” Bohm said.
Philadelphia’s win, combined with Atlanta’s 4-3 loss to last-place Miami, eliminated the Braves from the NL East title race, ending their six-year reign in the division.
The Mets, who had won four straight and 16 of their last 20 games, fell a game behind Arizona for the second of three NL wild card spots but remained two games ahead of Atlanta for the last playoff spot.
Philadelphia Phillies clinching scenarios: Playoff spot aside, there’s still plenty to play for
The Philadelphia Phillies clinched a third-consecutive playoff berth with a 12-2 win over the New York Mets on Friday, joining the Brewers, Yankees, Guardians and Dodgers as teams who have secured a 2024 postseason appearance. A favorite to make the World Series, the Phillies extended their NL East lead to seven games with eight to play. And while they’re assured a Wild Card spot, there’s plenty more to play for.
Manager Rob Thomson acknowledged his team’s significant achievement in the clubhouse Friday: “It’s awfully difficult to get to this moment, get into the postseason,” Thomson said. “This is the third time in team history—over 100 years—that a team, a Philly team, has gotten into the postseason three years in a row. That’s how difficult it is.”
The Phillies are after their first National League East title in 13 years, and that could happen Saturday night. After that, home-field advantage is on the agenda.
How the Phillies can clinch the NL East: What needs to happen
Currently tied for the best record in the majors (92-62) with the Dodgers, the Philles passed Atlanta back in early May for the NL East lead—and haven’t trailed since. Not much needs to happen beyond Philly taking home a win this weekend. The Phillies play the second-place Mets both Saturday and Sunday at Citi Field, and just one win will earn them the NL East title.
Magic number for the Philadelphia Phillies to clinch the NL East
To clinch the NL East, the combination of Phillies wins and/or Mets losses needed—the Phillies’ magic number—is two. Since they’re playing the Mets both Saturday and Sunday, they’ll need to win one to secure the NL East.
