Embarrassing. Phillies Postgame 9/26/26

A month ago, we all thought the Phillies were a lock to play postseason baseball. Now, we are all holding out hope that the Padres can win back-to-back against the D-Backs if the Phillies are unable to win tomorrow.

There’s not much to say about tonight's performance except downright awful. Aaron Nola has now had two outings in a row in which he has been shelled, and this offense hasn't scored more than one run in almost a week. Are we all supposed to sit here and act like this team is going to do anything if they do end up sneaking into the playoffs?

The Rays jumped on Nola early tonight, with Junior Caminero hitting a first-inning 2-run shot to give Tampa the early 2-0 lead, and then Nola gave up an RBI double to Richie Palacios to make it 3-0 to end the first inning. Nola was pulled after the rough first inning, and he was replaced by Tanner Banks, who pitched a scoreless inning before Chase Shugart came out in the third. Shugart settled in well, going 1.2 innings and giving up one run. With 2 outs in the 5th, Jose Alvarado came out of the pen and gave up 3 runs in a third of an inning, giving the Rays a 7-0 lead and putting the game out of reach after the fifth. Tampa would add on 3 more in the 6th off Jose Urquidy, who ended up pitching 2.2 innings and also surrendering 3 runs. After 6 innings, Tampa had an insurmountable 10-0 lead.

The Phillies did score 1 run in the bottom of the 7th, but it was a meaningless run on a fielding error from Richie Palacios that scored Bryson Stott with the bases loaded. The final score tonight was 10-1.

It is all or nothing for the Phillies tomorrow. With a Diamondbacks loss tonight and a Phillies win in their final regular season game, Philly makes the Postseason. With two Arizona wins or a Phillies loss, and an Arizona win tomorrow, the Phillies miss the playoffs.

Zach Wheeler(13-5, 3.06) will pitch the biggest game of the season up against Nick Martinez(15-5, 2.94)

Photo Creds: TSN