SAN DIEGO – For 162 games, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies have spent the season trying to control their own postseason destiny. Now, they might have to worry about the weather. Arizona enters the final weekend behind two games of Philadelphia for the final National League Wild Card spot, while Arizona owns the tiebreaker. The problem? Philadelphia’s final three games against Tampa Bay are scheduled at Citizens Bank Park, where significant rain is expected this weekend from the incoming nor’easter storm.
May 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (2) celebrates win third base Eugenio Su‡rez (28) against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
With rain expected in Philadelphia all weekend, how will it affect the NL Wild Card race?
Will the Phillies get rained out and have to make up games? Could games be moved to a different city?
What happens next could have a major impact on the @Dbacks’ postseason hopes…#MLB pic.twitter.com/4b8mycR2ie
— Ben Bliklen (@benbliklen) September 25, 2026
That creates a bizarre scenario as Arizona could be playing while Philadelphia is sitting. That matters because the regular season ends Sunday, Sept. 27, with the Wild Card Series scheduled to begin Tuesday, Sept. 29, meaning ties for postseason spots are settled through mathematical tiebreakers rather than an extra winner-take-all game.
Apr 12, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ketel Marte (4) advances to third against the Philadelphia Phillies in the eighth inning at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
What happens if the Phillies can’t play due to the incoming storm? They don’t simply get eliminated because their games were rained out. If a postponed game is necessary to determine a postseason berth, MLB can schedule it after the regular-season schedule concludes. MLB has previously used the Monday after the regular season for makeup games when a playoff spot was at stake. That means a Monday makeup game, potentially even a doubleheader, could decide whether October baseball continues or the offseason begins.
Sep 28, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) hits a solo home run during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
For Arizona fans, that’s the important distinction. Rain doesn’t automatically help the Diamondbacks; it could actually delay their fate. But if Arizona wins in San Diego while Philadelphia still can’t play, the standings could get increasingly complicated. After 162 games, the NL’s final playoff spot could come down to a handful of postponed innings, a Monday makeup game, and a weather forecast. For Diamondbacks fans, this isn’t just baseball chaos; it’s the postseason race coming down to the final day and possibly more.
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
