The Philadelphia Phillies clinched their third consecutive playoff berth after their win on Friday, Sept. 20 against the New York Mets. Their sights were then set on being named the National League East champions at Citi Field, but Philadelphia couldn’t achieve that title in New York following a 6-3 and 2-1 loss to close out the series.

The Phillies needed one more win to clinch the NL East heading into their series against the Cubs, which is something Philadelphia hasn’t been able to do since 2011. Back when Roy Halladay, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard were playing. Before Barack Obama was elected President, Hurricane Sandy hit, and yes, before Carly Rae Jepson’s hit song “Call Me Maybe” was played constantly. Let’s just say, it’s been a long time coming, but the goal was accomplished, as Rob Thomson and company secured a division-clinching, 6-2 win over Chicago on Monday, Sept. 23.

The NL East had been ruled by the Atlanta Braves since 2018, and the Washington Nationals were on top of the division four times between 2012-2017. In the past two seasons, the Phillies entered the playoffs as a wildcard team and wouldn’t have even made it in 2022 without MLB changing their playoff format, which allowed one more team to qualify for the playoffs in each league.

In 2022, Aaron Nola took the mound on the road against the Houston Astros the night when the Phillies were able to punch their postseason ticket for the first time in 11 years. Nola went 6.2 scoreless innings and struck out nine Astros in that game. In 2023, Nola was on the bump at home facing the Pittsburgh Pirates for yet another 6.2 innings outing, allowing just one run. Johan Rojas hit a walk-off, RBI single up the middle which scored Cristian Pache and sent the Phillies back to Red October.

History repeated itself once more because taking the rubber against the Chicago Cubs for what was an NL East-clinching night was none other than Aaron Nola.

Nola was able to bounce back against Chicago compared to how the rest of his September has gone. In his 22 innings of work this month heading into his outing against the Cubs, Nola posted a 5.32 ERA and a .250 opponent batting average. The strikeouts have been there, but at the same time, the hard contact and six home runs allowed have hindered him.

The Aaron Nola we saw in his last outing in Milwaukee is what the Phillies needed from him, and the 31-year-old delivered. Nola went seven innings, struck out nine, and only allowed one run against the Brewers, which was a home run that came off the bat of his former teammate Rhys Hoskins. Against Chicago, Nola dominated in similar fashion, tossing six innings of two-run ball while striking out seven.

Chicago rolled out RHP Nate Pearson against the Phillies, who was sporting a 4.71 ERA and 2-2 record coming into the game, but only lasted one inning. Coming in relief of Pearson was Caleb Kilian, who got rocked, allowing five earned runs in 5.2 innings.

Heading into the playoffs, the Phillies’ offense needs to get back on track, as they’ve gone cold as of late. The team has only been averaging four runs per game since getting steamrolled by the Marlins back on Sept. 8 in a 10-1 loss. Adding more salt to the wound, the Phillies struck out 81 times during their latest seven-game road stand against the Brewers and Mets.

The Philly Faithful saw it last year too, when the offense collapsed right before our eyes while needing just one win to reach the World Series in back-to-back seasons. The lineup must keep their foot on the gas if they want any chance at hoisting the Commissioner’s Trophy. They can’t rely on Nola or their bullpen. Take matters into your own hands.

As sweet as it would have been to clinch the division at Citi Field in front of all those New York Mets fans, clinching the NL East at home with a sea of red was even better.

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