Phillies Split Braves Doubleheader And Trim Wild Card Magic Number

The Philadelphia Phillies remained in the driver's set as they work to clinch the top Wild Card spot in the National League.

The Philadelphia Phillies split a doubleheader with the Atlanta Braves on Monday, which is better than being swept when it comes to trying to trim their magic number in the National League Wild Card race.

The Phillies (79-65) lost the first game, 10-8, and won the second game, 7-5. With the win in the second game, the Phillies were able to trim their magic number by one.

The Phillies need to win at least one more game against Atlanta to keep them from clinching the National League East title at Citizens Bank Field.

But with the split, the Phillies maintained their healthy lead over the Wild Card field, where they remain in the driver’s seat for the top Wild Card seed and a home series.

Below is an update on the race, with the current standings, magic numbers to clinch a Wild Card berth and the remaining schedules for the teams that are still in the race.

The NL Wild Card Race as of Sept. 12

Monday’s Results

Atlanta 10, Philadelphia 8 (Game 1)

Philadelphia 7, Atlanta 5 (Game 2)

Chicago Cubs 5, Colorado 4

Milwaukee 12, Miami 0

Arizona 4, New York Mets 3

San Francisco 5, Cleveland 4 (10 innings)

Cincinnati, off

(Top three teams clinch Wild Card berths)

Philadelphia (79-65): +3.5 Games (Magic Number to clinch: 14)

Chicago Cubs (78-67): +2.0 Games (Magic Number to clinch: 15)

Arizona (76-69): — (Magic Number to clinch: 17)

Miami (74-70): 1.5 GB

San Francisco (74-70): 1.5 GB

Cincinnati (74-71): 1.5 GB

What’s Left?

Philadelphia (18): Tuesday-Wednesday: vs. Atlanta (2); Friday-Sunday: at St. Louis (3); Sept. 18-20: at Atlanta (3); Sept. 21-24: vs. New York Mets (4); Sept. 26-28: vs. Pittsburgh (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at New York Mets (3)

Chicago Cubs (17): Tuesday-Wednesday: at Colorado (2); Friday-Sunday: at Arizona (3); Sept. 19-21: vs. Pittsburgh (3); Sept. 22-24: vs. Colorado (3); Sept. 26-28: at Atlanta (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Milwaukee (3)

Arizona (17): Tuesday-Thursday: at New York Mets (3); Friday-Sunday: vs. Chicago Cubs (3); Sept. 19-20: vs. San Francisco (2); Sept. 22-24: at New York Yankees (3); Sept. 25-27: at Chicago White Sox (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: vs. Houston (3)

Cincinnati (17): Tuesday-Thursday: at Detroit (3); Friday-Sunday: at New York Mets (3); Sept. 18-20: vs. Minnesota (3); Sept. 22-24: vs. Pittsburgh (3); Sept. 26-27: at Cleveland (2); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at St. Louis (3)

Miami (18): Tuesday-Thursday: at Milwaukee (3); Friday-Sunday: vs. Atlanta (3); Sept. 18-20: vs. New York Mets (3); Sept. 22-24: vs. Milwaukee (3); Sept. 26-28: at New York Mets (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Pittsburgh (3)

San Francisco (18): Tuesday-Wednesday: vs. Cleveland (2); Thursday-Sunday: at Colorado (4); Sept. 19-20: at Arizona (2); Sept. 21-24: at Los Angeles Dodgers (4); Sept. 25-27: vs. San Diego (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (3)