2019 NL Wild Card: Because the rules say somebody has to win

Philadelphia Phillies

76-72, 4.5 GB from 2nd WC

The single most exciting Wild Card possibility remains in play so long as the Phillies are alive.

Bryce Harper traveling to Washington to take on his former team is why the Wild Card game exists. The viewership for Phils at Nats would outdraw any of the postseason games that follow it. It would reach gen pop.

Talk about pressurized: Max vs Bryce, Bryce vs the Nats horrid bullpen, the side-by-side screenshots of Harper and Juan Soto, Anthony Rendon’s impending free agency vs the gaping hole at third base on Philly’s side. Aaron Nola vs himself.

Gabe Kapler‘s mismanagement of the bullpen versus Davey Martinez’s mismanagement of the bullpen. Barnburner.

This is the ultimate showdown game: you’re either a pay-the-man Bryce truther, or a dyed-in-the-wool hometown homer shilling for the Nationals.

Bryce would have the opportunity for the ultimate f-you moment – or else eat crow all the way back to Philly. The stakes for his legacy could not be higher. We haven’t had a game like this since Giambi returned in pinstripes to take down the Moneyball A’s.

Except Giambi always seemed like a not-so-innocent bystander caught in a parents’ feud that was well over his head. Harper is a primary driver in his exit from Washington, and if Bryce is anything, he’s aware of the moment. This game is juicy and I want it.

But without the Shakespearean undertones, the Phillies don’t carry the weight of a team that “needs this.” They went all-in this offseason, both with bawdy talk of big spending, and then with big spending. But the egg’s already on their face for that overhype.

A tempered approach at the deadline somewhat nullified the flourish of the offseason. It was the sober morning after the drunken revelry of the offseason. But now it’s over. They know they got too drunk, we know they got too drunk, they know we know they got to drunk, and so on. Everyone’s a little embarrassed, and the best thing to do is get on to 2020, act like this never happened, try not to get so drunk tomorrow night.

Compared to, say, the Rays or A’s, there’s not much urgency to a Phillies postseason appearance.  When you sign Harper to a 10-year contract, there can’t be too much pressure to win in year one. They entered the season with hopes of contending, but falling just shy of the postseason feels like the right spiritual place for this team.

More to the point, this isn’t the year to stick Aaron Nola in a do-or-die game. Rhys Hoskins has been a bit of a disappointment after everyone assumed he’d flourish back at first base and with Bryce’s bat behind him.

Bryce’s second half has been solid, but there’s a year coming when he’ll do this from day one. Arrieta could be a fun throwback for the postseason, but he’s out. Andrew McCutchen would make them worthy of a Wild Card bid on his own, deserving as he is for postseason action, but he’s out too.

Scott Kingery is a dirt dog made for postseason play. As is Harper. These dudes are max entertainers who become more entertaining when pressurized. They need their opportunity.

But they don’t need it this year. Keep ‘em close in case the Nationals lock up the top spot and we have a chance for Wild Card: Bryce’s Revenge. Otherwise, stay home, do some Pilates with Arrieta and Coach Kap, and start thinking about where to find a third baseman, a centerfielder, and a busload of starting pitchers.

Why do these Phillies deserve the postseason? Because Wild Card: Bryce’s Revenge. Otherwise, they don’t.