This article was adapted from Todd Zolecki's Phillies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here and subscribe to get it delivered to your inbox regularly.



WASHINGTON The Phillies secured the NL East title on Monday, followed by a first-round playoff bye on Wednesday. With these milestones accomplished, they had little to play for in Washington, D.C., except for a few key storylines to watch.



1. No. 1 Seed in the NL The Phillies were hoping to secure home-field advantage through the NLCS and World Series. However, after their 9-1 loss to the Nationals on Friday and the Dodgers' 11-4 win over the Rockies, Los Angeles gained a two-game lead with just two games remaining. The Phillies path to the No. 1 seed involves winning both games in Washington and hoping the Dodgers lose their final two in Colorado. The Phillies hold the tiebreaker over the Dodgers Mark Appel Jersey, meaning they would take the top spot if the two teams finish tied.



Postseason FAQ: What's next for the Phillies?

If the Phillies make it to the World Series, they would have home-field advantage against every American League team, though the Yankees are only one game behind them.

2. Ranger Surezs Final Start The Phillies had hoped for a strong performance from Ranger Surez in his last regular-season start on Friday, but he left fans uncertain about which version of him would show up in the postseason. Would it be the first-half pitcher who was an NL Cy Young contender, or the second-half version who seemed more suited for a No. 5 spot in the rotation?



Surez struggled in Friday's loss, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks over just two innings. He faced a Nationals team that had struggled offensively in recent games, but Surez had a tough first inning that included 42 pitches. Since returning to the rotation on Aug. 24 after a back injury, Surez has gone 2-3 with a 5.74 ERA in seven starts.



"I wanted to have at least a solid start before the playoffs, " Surez said through the teams interpreter. "It didnt happen, but now I need to turn the page and stay mentally strong heading into the postseason."



Surez is expected to start Game 4 of the NLDS on Oct. 9.



Manager Rob Thomson remains confident in Surez: "I believe in him, especially with his poise and calm demeanor. The adrenaline of the playoffs should help him. He'll be our fourth starter, no doubt Nick Castellanos Jersey, and I have full confidence in him."



3. Zack Wheelers Cy Young Push Although Atlantas Chris Sale is the front-runner for the NL Cy Young, Zack Wheeler still has a shot at making voters think twice with a strong outing against the Nationals on Saturday. Wheeler enters the final weekend with a 16-7 record and a 2.56 ERA over 31 starts, having thrown 193 2/3 innings.



Wheeler will likely be aiming for 200 innings, but the priority will remain keeping pitchers healthy and ready for the postseason. If Wheeler reaches 70 pitches through six innings, hell almost certainly return for the seventh. If hes at 100 pitches after six, manager Thomson jokingly said, "Ill be itching, breaking out in a rash."



4. Other Milestones to Watch Aaron Nola is scheduled to pitch on Sunday and needs just 5 2/3 innings to reach 200 innings for the season. Trea Turner is one stolen base away from his fourth career 20-20 season. Hes hitting.294 and will need a strong finish to reach.300. Alec Bohm is just five RBIs away from 100, while Brandon Marsh is two steals away from 20.



Kyle Schwarber is hitting.249, while Nick Castellanos is at.254. Both players have the chance to finish the season above.250, which would be significant milestones for each. Schwarber struggled with a.197 batting average last year but made a concerted effort to make better contact this season. Castellanos, on the other hand, was hitting just.194 on May 18 before he turned his season around.







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