The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Chicago Cubs 6–2 on Monday night to earn their first division crown in 13 years. The Phillies are National League East champions for the first time since 2011.
Phillies starter Aaron Nola took the mound in what seems like a normal situation when it comes to clinching scenarios. Nola was on the mound for the Phillies the previous two seasons in the playoff-clinching games. This time, the right-hander tossed a gem to secure the Phillies the division crown in front of the home crowd at Citizens Bank Park. He pitched six innings, struck out seven batters and had two earned runs charged to his line.
Phillies star catcher J.T. Realmuto threw a perfect strike to second base to catch Mike Tauchman attempting to steal the bag in the top of the first. Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos made a terrific sliding grab to record the final out in the top of the second. With a runner on first base in the bottom of the second inning, Realmuto crushed a 421-foot home run to give the Phillies an early 2–0 lead. Kyle Schwarber joined the party with a 412-foot home run of his own to lead off the bottom of the third. This was Schwarber’s team-leading 37th home run and 100th RBI of the season. Castellanos hit an RBI single four batters later to put the Phillies up 4≠0.
Looking Back on the Last Time Phillies Earned Division Crown
The Phillies last won the NL East in 2011 after a franchise record 102-win season. That was the fifth straight year the Phillies had finished first in the division between 2007-11. The Phillies had created their own mini-dynasty at the time with the beloved Charlie Manuel at the helm.
It was a time when some of the most iconic players to ever put on the red pinstripes called Philadelphia home. Phillies legends Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Ruiz, Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino forever hold a special place in the City of Brotherly Love for the success they were able to accomplish. Pat Burrell, Jayson Werth, Jamie Moyer, Brad Lidge, Raúl Ibañez, Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay and Hunter Pence are also notable names that contributed to the Phillies’ success during those years. That five-year dominant core group made up arguably the best teams in the organization’s 141-year history.
Phillies Look to Make History of Their Own
The Phillies are in the postseason for the third consecutive season. Bryce Harper and the rest of the team fell short of a World Series championship in 2022. They made it to Game 7 of the NLCS in 2023, but couldn’t finish off the Arizona Diamondbacks.
This year’s team has the highest expectations since the 2011 team. The Phillies are atop Major League Baseball’s standings with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Rob Thomson’s team has five games remaining in the regular season. They’ll try to lock up a first-round bye in the postseason. His club should have their eyes set on the No. 1 seed to ensure home-field advantage throughout the postseason. It’s the World Series or bust for the Phillies in 2024.
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