The Phillies suffered a 12-1 loss to the Rays on Saturday, leaving them on the brink of an unprecedented late-season collapse. Multiple outlets reported the team could have secured a playoff berth as soon as Wednesday but have since faltered dramatically. Per MLB Trade Rumors, the Phillies plan to activate left-hander Jesús Luzardo off the 15-day injured list ahead of Sunday's game, making him available out of the bullpen for what interim manager Don Mattingly knows could be a season-saving contest.
Yahoo Sports emphasized the magnitude of the collapse, noting that "almost nothing has gone right" for the free-falling Phillies since they came within one win of clinching. A report attributed to Jayson Stark indicated the team has been outscored 25-2 since pulling within one day of securing a postseason spot.
The Phillies' fate rests largely with right-hander Zack Wheeler, per Yahoo Sports, who will take the mound Sunday. All reporting confirms this is Philadelphia's final opportunity to salvage their season.