Brewers Beat Phillies 4-1, Delay Philadelphia’s Postseason Clinch

The plastic sheeting was already hanging over the lockers at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday, a quiet sign that Philadelphia was ready for a postseason party. Instead, the Brewers sent the Phillies home with the champagne still packed away after a 4-1 defeat.

Philadelphia had entered the night with a chance to lock down an NL Wild Card place. A win over Milwaukee, paired with a loss by either Arizona or San Diego, would have done it. The club will have to wait at least another day.

Nola gave up four runs across six innings, ending a run of 10 straight starts in which he had held opponents to three earned runs or fewer. It was his best such stretch since 2018, when he put together 12 consecutive outings at that level and finished third in the National League Cy Young Award voting.

The right-hander had posted a 2.10 ERA during the 10-start run, a turnaround that has steadied the lower half of the rotation while Jesús Luzardo has been out since Sept. 7 with inflammation in his left shoulder. Nola was 3-5 with a 6.04 ERA through 17 starts ending June 29; over his final 15 starts, he went 4-6 with a 3.12 ERA.

“We have to win tomorrow and keep our attention on what is in front of us,” Nola said.

Missed chances at the plate

The Phillies had enough early traffic to change the night. They loaded the bases with nobody out in the second inning but came away with only one run. In the fifth, first and second were occupied with no outs, and Milwaukee escaped again without allowing a run.

That has become an uncomfortable recent pattern. Philadelphia has scored three runs or fewer in six of its past eight games, and the 0-for-12 showing with runners in scoring position left Nola without much support.

Still, the starter’s recent work has changed the feel of his turn in the rotation. Interim manager Don Mattingly said Nola has moved past the concerns created by his rough opening months and now carries the same expectation of a quality outing as Cristopher Sánchez, Zack Wheeler and the club’s other dependable starters.

“Aaron has been enormous for us,” Mattingly said. “After the early struggles, he has made that spot in the rotation feel like one where you expect a good game every time. That has meant a lot in the second half.”

Luzardo’s status leaves a possible opening

Luzardo played catch for the fourth day in a row Wednesday, and the club views his recovery positively. He could get back on a mound as soon as Thursday, with a simulated game possible before the weekend ends.

Even if that progression continues, Philadelphia has not decided whether Luzardo would be ready to return as a starter in next week’s best-of-three NL Wild Card Series or whether the long absence and any remaining health questions would point him toward bullpen duty.

Mattingly said the club is still sorting through the plan, though “everything is going good.”

That uncertainty could put Nola in line for a Wild Card Series start. He said no postseason assignment has been discussed with him, and added that the specific role is not his concern.

“I feel like I found my rhythm,” Nola said. “I know what I can do.”