The Philadelphia Phillies can clinch a postseason spot as early as Friday.
The Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks are the final two teams in the National League in play for a postseason spot, and the Phillies are in the driver's seat going into their final series of the year against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Magic Number To Clinch Postseason Berth: 2
The Phillies enter play on Friday with a two-game lead over the Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks hold the tiebreaker over the Phillies, so if the two teams are tied come Sunday night, it will be the Diamondbacks going to the postseason.
The Diamondbacks are playing the San Diego Padres in their final series of the regular season. Even though the Padres have already punched their ticket to the postseason, they are playing for seeding. However, they celebrated on Thursday night, so Friday may feature a hangover lineup.
The Phillies will have Cristopher Sánchez on the mound on Friday night against the Rays, who have Freddy Peralta lined up. The Rays have already secured the top seed in the American League and don't have much to play for. However, Kevin Cash is not the type to take his foot off the gas. He may give some starters some rest or be cautious with pitch counts, but the Phillies should not expect the Rays to just take it easy on them.
Any combination of Phillies wins and Diamondbacks losses totaling two will secure a spot in the postseason for the Phillies.