Wheeler down but Phils rolling

Last MLB season, the Philadelphia Phillies jumped off to an extremely fast start to build up a huge lead in the National League East race.

- Dave Wiggins

In the second half, they faltered badly and barely hung on to win their division.

Not surprisingly, after earning a Wildcard Round bye, the Phils were unceremoniously dumped from the playoffs in the Divisional Round by the New York Mets, MLB's hottest team down the regular season stretch.

Said Philadelphia catcher JT Realmuto of the Phils ouster: "In the postseason you have to be playing well to have a shot. We were obviously not at the top of our game."

This campaign the Fightin' Phils have once again captured the NL East but in an entirely different fashion. They have had teamwide clutch hitting in September to go with their season-long outstanding starting pitching.