Philadelphia Phillies clinch 3rd straight playoff berth and close in on NL East title

Bryce Harper and Philelphia Phillies clinched ir third consecutive playoff appearance Friday night with a 12-2 victory over New York Mets.

Assured at least a National League wild card, Phillies can secure ir first NL East title since 2011 with one more win this weekend against second-place Mets at Citi Field.

With division crown so close, Philelphia planned a mellow celebration following Friday night's game — hoping to let loose soon with a boozy clubhouse bash after locking up first place.

Seeking ir third World Series championship, Phillies overtook Atlanta for division le on May 3 and haven't trailed since.

Philelphia (92-62) has best record in major leagues and is on track for a first-round bye in playoffs. It's third time Phillies have reached postseason three years in a row (1976-78 and 2007-11).

Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos have powered offense, while Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suárez and Cristopher Sánchez have anchored pitching staff on a team largely unchanged from 2023.

Philelphia won five straight NL East titles from 2007-11, n went 10 years without making playoffs. A wild-card entry each of past two postseasons, Phillies put toger consecutive October runs that ended in heartbreak.

y reached 2022 World Series, losing to Houston in six games, and dropped a seven-game NL Championship Series to Arizona last year after leing underdog Diamondbacks 2-0 and 3-2.

So this time, Phillies are looking to go all way and finally finish job.

Philelphia's only World Series championships came in 1980 and 2008.