PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies’ clubhouse staff on Wednesday affixed the rolled-up plastic sheeting above the lockers inside the home clubhouse at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phils could have clinched an NL Wild Card berth in a few hours, if they beat the Brewers and if the Diamondbacks or Padres lost. Everybody needed to be prepared for a party.
But the champagne-soaked celebration will wait at least one more night. Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola allowed four runs in six innings in a 4-1 loss to Milwaukee.
It was the first time Nola had allowed four or more runs in a start since July 22, snapping a streak of 10 starts of allowing three or fewer runs. (It was Nola’s longest streak like that since a 12-start run in 2018, when he finished third for NL Cy Young.) Nola had a 2.10 ERA in this recent 10-start stretch, providing much needed stability and production to the back end of the rotation, especially with Jesús Luzardo sidelined since Sept. 7 due to inflammation in his left shoulder.
In fact, Luzardo’s injury could have Nola pitching in next week’s best-of-three NL Wild Card Series.
Luzardo played catch for a fourth consecutive day on Wednesday, so he is recovering well. But the Phillies have not announced his next steps, nor have they said if he returns he will be able to rejoin the rotation.
So, Nola’s pitching hasn’t been just a new storyline following a season-and-a-half of struggles. He finished his season 7-11 with a 4.54 ERA. He started the season 3-5 with a 6.04 ERA in 17 starts through June 29.
It’s been critical to the team’s chances in the postseason.
Of course, the Phillies will need to hit in the postseason, too. They have scored three or fewer runs in six of their last eight games.
They had the bases loaded with no outs in the second inning, but scored only a run. Overall, the Phillies went 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position on Wednesday.