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Nola on Two Days' Rest: Phillies' Wild Card Bid Hangs By a Thread
27 Sep
Summary
- Aaron Nola will start on two days' rest for the Phillies' crucial game.
- The Phillies have lost 9-13 in September, with their lead shrinking.
- Jesus Luzardo could be activated Sunday if needed by the team.
The Philadelphia Phillies are in a precarious position, with their National League wild card hopes threatened by a potential epic collapse. To stave off elimination, the team is starting Aaron Nola on only two days' rest against the Tampa Bay Rays. Nola pitched six innings and struck out eight in his last start on Wednesday but took the loss.
Philadelphia has struggled significantly in September, holding a 9-13 record, which has narrowed their NL wild-card lead to a single game over Arizona. Their offense has been particularly anemic, failing to score runs consistently and batting a collective .206. Key offensive players like J.T. Realmuto and Luis Arraez are in slumps or sidelined.
Compounding their challenges, the Phillies are managing without All-Star lefty Jesús Luzardo, who is on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation. Luzardo is eligible to be activated on Sunday, potentially providing a much-needed boost if the race extends. The team's performance raises concerns about their ability to secure a playoff spot.
