The Chicago Cubs not only put a big dent in the postseason hopes of the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday afternoon, but also made history in the process.
After registering a three-game sweep over the Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field this week, the Chicago Cubs went 6-0 this season against the Phillies. That marks the first time in franchise history for either team that one or the other had completely swept the season series. The Philadelphia Quakers (name of the Phillies before 1890) and the Chicago White Stockings (the original name of the Cubs) began playing each other in 1883.
The Chicago Cubs made history and the Philadelphia Phillies made their fans have severe September flashbacks
With the sweep, Chicago moved to 70-86 on the season and dropped the Phillies to 83-72 and into a temporary tie for the National League’s final Wild Card spot with the Milwaukee Brewers. On Thursday night, the Brewers hosted the Miami Marlins to begin a four-game series.
The #Phillies' collapse continues:
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 29, 2022
They have lost 5 consecutive games, and 10 of their last 13. It's their 2nd five-game losing streak in the past two weeks.
They scored a total of 3 runs in 27 innings against the Cubs.
They are tied with the #Brewers for the final wild-card spot
The meltdown at Wrigley continued what has been a familiar theme for the Phillies in recent Septembers.
Phillies W-L after August:
— Paul Hembekides (Hembo) (@PaulHembo) September 29, 2022
2022 (10-14)
2021 (14-16)
2020 (13-17)
2019 (12-16)
2018 (8-20)
This makes me sad.
Things will not get easier for Philadelphia from here as the Phillies must play four games in three days in Washington against the Nationals before heading to Houston to face the Astros for the final three games of the regular season. Astros manager Dusty Baker has already said he plans to play his starters in that series, meaning Philadelphia finishes the season on the road against the full might of the American League’s top seed.
With seven games left in the regular season, the Phillies must put a historic series of losses in the rearview mirror if they are to earn a postseason spot for the first time since the 2011 campaign.