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Phillies finish season after clinching NL East title

Sep 28, 2008 - 7:37 AM Washington (59-101) at Philadelphia (91-70), 1:35 pm EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Phillies survived the National League East race. Now, they hope to begin a long postseason journey.

A day after clinching their second straight division title, the Phillies conclude the regular season against the Washington Nationals on Sunday.

They will play either the Los Angeles Dodgers (84-77) or Milwaukee Brewers (89-72) in the NL Division Series beginning Wednesday at home.

If the New York Mets (89-72) lose to the Marlins, the Brewers would win the NL wild card with a win over the Chicago Cubs (97-63). If both teams win or lose, a one-game playoff would be held in New York on Monday.

"This is the first step, making the playoffs," Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard said to the Philadelphia Inquirer. "The main goal lies ahead. We're going to take this moment right now, celebrate, cherish it."

Clinching the division on Saturday made it possible for manager Charlie Manuel to scratch ace Cole Hamels for the finale and rest him for the first game of the postseason.

Kyle Kendrick (11-9, 5.46 ERA) takes the mound after making his lone relief appearance in the Phillies' 14-8 loss to the Florida Marlins on September 19.

In his most recent start, the 24-year-old righthander was tagged for seven runs and six hits in 1 1/3 innings on September 9 against the Marlins. Before that, he surrendered two or less runs in five of eight outings.

Washington, which has lost 100 games for the first time since 1976, counters with Odalis Perez.

Perez (7-11, 4.27) has been spectacular at home, posting a 2.65 ERA in 16 starts. However, on the road he is 4-5 with a 6.38 mark over 13 outings. The 31-year-old lefthander is coming off a tough loss against the San Diego Padres in which he yielded three runs and five hits in six frames.