Puppies are the best spoilers

Just a couple of weeks ago, the Philadelphia Phillies looked like legitimate playoff contenders: Their rotation was good, Bryce Harper was producing after a long injury layoff, and everything was set for their first postseason appearance since 2011.

Not so fast.

After losing 10 of their last 13 games, Philadelphia’s postseason hopes hang in the balance.

They have been trapped in the standings by the Milwaukee Brewers in the third and final wild card spot.

Both teams are 83-72 after the Chicago Cubs, of all teams, finished sweeping the Phillies.

“The Cubs just swept the wild-card contending Phillies. They love to play spoiler,” tweeted B/R Walk-Off on Thursday.

The Cubs just swept the wild-card contending Phillies.

They love to spoiler 🤯 pic.twitter.com/QewAV1Q3mg

– B/R exit (@BRWalkoff) September 29, 2022

Rookie Javier Assad turned in five shutout innings and Keegan Thompson pitched three shutout innings in relief to complete the sweep.

As tweeted by B/R Walk-Off in replies: Brewers fans, be sure to thank a Cubs fan today.

Cubs feat ignites wild-card race

With the Phillies still holding the tiebreaker against the Brewers by virtue of winning the matchup of the season, 4-2, Milwaukee would need to finish ahead of Philadelphia in the standings to make the playoffs.

At 7:40 pm ET on Thursday, the Brewers will host the visiting Miami Marlins as they look to gain sole possession of that final wild-card spot with a win.

If the Phillies end up missing the postseason, it should be considered a meltdown of epic proportions.

It would be sad and unfair to the fans if that were the case: Philadelphia is a passionate baseball city that deserves postseason baseball.

There are still a couple of series to go, but they need to win and they need to do it soon.

As for the Cubs, they will finish the season with a lousy record, but take comfort in the fact that they should be better next year.

For now, they’re playing spoiler.