Diamondbacks Rally to Edge Phillies in Crucial NL Wild Card Race

The Arizona Diamondbacks secured a crucial 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, moving closer to a playoff spot with seven games remaining in the season. Zac Gallen pitched seven strong innings, overcoming a rough start to hold the Phillies to three runs while striking out nine, helping the D-backs rally in the sixth inning with key hits including a tie-breaking single from Ildemaro Vargas. The Phillies, despite Alec Bohm's solid contributions including a home run and timely doubles, struggled with bullpen decisions and starting pitcher Aaron Nola, who gave up four runs in just over five innings and has been inconsistent, raising concerns about the pitching depth for the upcoming playoffs. Phillies manager Rob Thomson is expected to experiment with bullpen usage in the final regular-season games due to injuries and uncertainties, including the absence of Zack Wheeler who is undergoing surgery and the possibility that Nola may not start until the National League Championship Series. Alec Bohm recently returned from the injured list with a healthier shoulder, showing promise with important hits and could play a pivotal role in the Phillies' postseason offense as they aim to maintain their strong position in the National League. Overall, the Phillies lead the NL East and are vying for a top seed, but their pitching and bullpen depth remain key questions as the playoffs approach.