Categories: News

Magic Number Tracker: Phillies bye clinching scenarios

Bryce Harper celebrates the Phillies’ 2023 NLDS win over the Atlanta Braves. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire)

Updated following all relevant results on Sept. 24, 2024.

The Phillies are the 2024 NL East champions.

In addition to winning the division, the Phillies would like to finish with one of the two best records among National League division winners to skip the wild card round and start the postseason with home-field advantage in the Division Series. Ideally, the Phillies would like to finish with the best record in the majors to secure home field advantage for the entirety of the postseason.

The Phillies, at 93-65 with four games left, have a 2.5-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers for a first-round bye. They are a half game behind the Dodgers for the best record in MLB. The Dodgers have a game in hand.

Remaining Schedule

  • 1 vs. CHC
  • 3 @ WSH

NL East Standings

  • Phillies: 93-65
  • Mets: 87-70 — 5.5
  • Braves 86-71 — 6.5

Bye Standings

  • Dodgers: 93-64
  • Phillies: 93-65 — 0.5
  • Brewers: 90-67 — 3.0

Relevant Phillies Tiebreakers

The first tiebreaker in MLB is head-to-head record. The second is record within the division and the third is record against other National League teams not in the same division.

  • The Phillies have won the tiebreaker over the Los Angeles Dodgers (5-1).
  • The Phillies have lost the tiebreaker over the Atlanta Braves (6-7).
  • The Phillies have won the tiebreaker over the Milwaukee Brewers (4-2).
  • The Phillies have won the tiebreaker over the New York Mets (7-6).
  • The Phillies have won the tiebreaker over the San Diego Padres (5-1).
  • The Phillies have lost the tiebreaker over the Arizona Diamondbacks (3-4).

Other Relevant National League Tiebreakers

  • The Braves lead the Mets 6-5 in the season series with two head-to-head games left to play.
  • The Padres and Diamondbacks are tied 5-5 in the season series with three head-to-head games left to play.
  • The Braves have the tiebreaker against the Diamondbacks, but not against the Padres.
  • The Mets have the tiebreaker over the Diamondbacks and Padres.
  • The Padres have the tiebreaker over the Dodgers (8-3) with two head-to-head games still remaining.
  • If all three of the Phillies, Dodgers and Brewers won their division and finished with the same record, the teams would be seeded in that order. The Phillies have the tiebreaker over the Dodgers and Brewers. The Dodgers have the tiebreaker over the Brewers.

Magic Numbers

  • The Phillies’ magic number to clinch a bye to the Division Series is 2
  • The Phillies do not control their own destiny to finish with the best record in the National League.

The earliest possible clinch date for a bye to the Division Series is Wednesday, Sept. 25 vs. the Cubs.

The Phillies can clinch a bye to the DS on Wednesday with a win over the Cubs AND a Brewers loss to the Pirates. Any combination of two Phillies wins or Brewers losses gives the Phillies the bye.

MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION

  1. Phillies 2024 Walk-Up Songs
  2. Report: Execs Believe Phillies Will Bid On Juan Soto
  3. Could Cristopher Sánchez Start Game 2 Of A Playoff Series Over Aaron Nola?
  4. Weston Wilson Might Be Playing Himself Into Playoff Role For Phillies
  5. Advertisement Coming To Batting Helmets For Entire MLB Postseason
  6. ‘I Just Told Him That Was Bulls—‘: Nick Castellanos, Phillies React To Beaning
  7. Can Zack Wheeler Catch Chris Sale In NL Cy Young Race?
  8. If Bryce Harper Says He’s OK, Should We Take His Word For It?
  9. Phillies Prospect Aidan Miller Earns Aggressive Push To Double-A: ‘It Says A Lot About Him’
  10. Phillies 2024 Giveaway Schedule

WATCH THIS WEEK’S EPISODE OF PHILLIES NATION TV

Share
Destiny Lugardo

A lifelong native of Philadelphia, Destiny has been a contributor for Phillies Nation since January 2019 and was named Deputy Editorial Director in May 2020.

Get throwback Phillies styles from Shibe Vintage Sports in Center City Philly

View Comments

  • Feel like the magic number for a berth is in the single digits since the Braves and Mets play each other, so they both cannot 'win out'. One of them is guaranteed at least 2 or 3 losses.

  • All well and good, but I think what we need to see is the Phils take at least 4 of the 7 with the Mets and 2 of the 3 with the Brewers. Not a wild stretch, and then t he msa

  • Not covered here are the leads over various AL teams.
    Currently,it's 3.5 over the Yankees,4.5 over Clev.,and 5.5 over the Orioles.

  • The Fightins' are now forced to rely on others for best record.Rooting for the Commonwealth's other team at Yankee Stadium this weekend will be a completely unique experience.
    Of course,of more immediate concern is the Dodgers-Padres series and their series high up.
    The Rockies are almost a .500 team at home,their hitters have an advantage in the thin air while Shohei doesn't need it.