# Phillies aren't serious > Phillies miss NL Wild Card chance with weak September performance - Title: Phillies aren't serious · PhillyVoice | Shortify - Summary: Phillies miss NL Wild Card chance with weak September performance Phillies are not serious contenders after failing to secure NL East title despite playoff… - Keywords: phillies, mlb, nfl, mets, braves, dodgers, wild card, postseason, bryce harper, j.t. realmuto, luis arraez, alec bohm - Source: PhillyVoice — https://phillyvoice.com/phillies-arent-serious-nl-wild-card-race-mlb-postseason-odds-braves-dodgers-matchups - Published: 2026-09-22T18:53:41.625+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: phillies, mlb, nfl, mets, braves, dodgers, wild card, postseason, bryce harper, j.t. realmuto, luis arraez, alec bohm ## Phillies lose to Mets Phillies lost 10-3 to Mets in a game where they gave up three runs in the sixth inning after loading the bases > Bryson Stott hacked a roller through the grass to second and was left slamming his helmet into the dirt ## Bullpen struggles Orion Kerkering was demoted to Triple-A after giving up four runs in the eighth inning > Orion Kerkering got tagged for the second straight game, letting up four more runs in the eighth ## August performance Phillies hit well in August but struggled in September with a 2-2 record against Mets > The Phillies had a great August, but that was always with a tough September schedule looming ## Key players Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto have struggled with low batting averages in recent games > J.T. Realmuto struck out six times in the Mets series and is a .213 hitter in his mid-30s ## Managerial changes Phillies have had two managerial changes in the past five years with interim manager Don Mattingly > It's been this way for five years now, through many big-money contracts that feel like they're never quite living up to the price tag ## Bullpen instability Phillies bullpen has been inconsistent with multiple relievers struggling in recent games > They've since reverted back to the old habits and stubborn cold streaks that have long overstayed their welcome ## Postseason odds Phillies are 8-10 through September with a slim chance at NL Wild Card > They're 8-10 through September. They punted any possible shot at the NL East title out the window ## Team performance Phillies have struggled with inconsistent hitting and pitching in recent games > The Phillies aren't a serious baseball team. Not anymore, at least ## Key players Luis Arraez has dropped from a .300 average to .285 as a Phillie > Luis Arráez, who has batted well above .300 for years, suddenly dipped to a .285 average as a Phillie ## Postseason outlook Phillies have a slim chance at NL Wild Card but no realistic path to deeper postseason > They haven't shown anything to say otherwise, or that they're any different from the last two Phillies clubs that hit a hard stop ## Managerial challenges Phillies have faced challenges with interim manager Don Mattingly and bullpen decisions > Interim manager Don Mattingly yanked Raley as soon as he could for Chase Shugart ## Team history Phillies have had a history of inconsistent performance and managerial changes > It's been this way for five years now, through many big-money contracts that feel like they're never quite living up to the price tag ## Bullpen issues Phillies bullpen has been a weak point with multiple relievers struggling in recent games > They've since reverted back to the old habits and stubborn cold streaks that have long overstayed their welcome ## Postseason odds Phillies are 8-10 through September with a slim chance at NL Wild Card > They're 8-10 through September. They punted any possible shot at the NL East title out the window ## Team performance Phillies have struggled with inconsistent hitting and pitching in recent games > The Phillies aren't a serious baseball team. Not anymore, at least ## Key takeaway Phillies are not serious contenders after failing to secure NL East title despite playoff odds