The wild ride of Phillies baseball in 2021 has officially come to an end. The Phillies season is over, after losing their final regular season yesterday by a final score of 5-4. The Phillies finished 82-80, with a -11 run differential on the season, and have missed the playoffs for the 10th year in a row.

Bailey Falter got the start for the team yesterday and got roughed around in the first inning. He pitched two total innings, allowing four hits, three earned runs, and walking one batter. Two of those three earned runs came in the bottom of the first inning, giving the Marlins an early 2-0 lead.

Freddy Galvis came up to the plate in the top of the second and brought the lead to within one. Galvis sent a ball into the right-field stands of Marlins park, making it a 2-1 ballgame.

However, the Marlins would immediately answer back. Falter would let up his third run of the game in the bottom of the second, moving the score to 3-1 in the Marlins favor. Andrew McCutchen would answer right back though, hitting his 27th, and final home run of the season in the top of the third, evening the game at 3-3.

A few monumental franchise moments happened in yesterday’s game. Bryce Harper became the first Phillie ever to reach 100 runs, 40 doubles, 35 home runs, and 100 walks in a season. Harper joined Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, and Stan Musial as the only players to have ever done so in major league history.

Hector Neris also claimed the all-time leader in strikeouts by a Phillies reliever yesterday, recording his 520th career strikeout. Hector has had a wild ride with this team, but if there’s one thing guaranteed, he will always give you everything he’s got. Hector capped off a successful season yesterday, especially since being removed from the closer role.

Hector would find himself in some trouble yesterday though. He would allow a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth, moving the score to 5-3 in the Marlins favor. Brad Miller would record an RBI single in the top of the 8th to make it 5-4, but the comeback wasn’t enough.

What a wild ride. 162 games later, a disappointing but eventful season is in the books. Bryce Harper had one of the best seasons ever by a Philadelphia Phillie, the team is now on 10 years without playoff baseball, and the offseason is full of unknowns.

So what’s next for the Phillies? Take some time off, look ahead to free agency, and evaluate what you currently have. We know the bullpen is an issue, but that is not the only problem lingering throughout this clubhouse. Consistent hitting, depth of starting pitchers, and an inconsistent bullpen is all a major topic heading into this crucial offseason.

The Phillies finished with an 82-80 record, just two games above .500, but hit the over on overall predicted wins (81.5, never a doubt). Playoff baseball is coming, but not for the Phillies. Look out for some electric wild card games coming up early this week, with a loaded slate of games throughout the first week of the playoffs on the horizon. There’s a lot of work to do this offseason to get this team where they need to be, but the core is in place for years to come.

That’s a wrap. Thanks for following along with me and Drew throughout the season. Although the outcome wasn’t what we wanted, what an eventful, memorable season. Go Phils. 132 days until pitchers and catchers.

Mandatory Credit: Getty Images