Red-Hot Phillies Make Statement Win: Harper’s Blast, Nola’s Gem Ignite NL East Shake-Up

The Philadelphia Phillies fortified their pitching staff hours before the September 1 roster cutoff, reportedly agreeing to a major-league deal with right-hander Walker Buehler and a minor-league pact with veteran lefty reliever Tim Mayza. Buehler, 31, was designated for assignment by Boston earlier this week after posting a 3.88 ERA over 18 starts. His fastball velocity has ticked back up to 96 mph following 2024 elbow surgery, and the Phillies are betting he can stabilize a rotation that has relied heavily on Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suárez, and rookie phenom Mick Abel. Because the agreement was finalized before midnight, Buehler is eligible for Philadelphia’s potential postseason roster. Mayza, 33, gives manager Rob Thomson another southpaw option alongside José Alvarado. The former Blue Jays setup man held left-handed hitters to a .214 average last season and will report to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to refine his slider command. He can be activated once rosters expand to 28 players next week. PLAYOFF PUSH CONTINUES IN MILWAUKEE Philadelphia opens a three-game set against the NL-Central-leading Brewers tonight at American Family Field. The Phillies sit at 79-57, 6.5 games behind Atlanta in the division but firmly atop the NL Wild Card standings. A strong series in Milwaukee would inch them closer to securing home-field advantage for the Wild Card round. KEY STORYLINES TO WATCH • Buehler’s debut timeline: He is expected to throw a bullpen this weekend; a start during next week’s homestand vs. Miami is possible. • Bullpen shuffle: Mayza’s addition could push struggling right-hander Seranthony Domínguez into lower-leverage spots. • Bryce Harper’s MVP surge: Harper owns a 1.045 OPS since the All-Star break, second only to Juan Soto in the NL. • Schedule advantage: After Milwaukee, 16 of the Phillies’ final 25 games are against sub-.500 opponents. WHAT IT MEANS By seizing a low-risk, high-reward arm in Buehler and adding depth with Mayza, the Phillies signaled an aggressive commitment to a deep postseason run. If Buehler regains his pre-injury form—he logged a 2.91 ERA across 33 playoff innings for the Dodgers in 2021—Philadelphia’s rotation could rival any in the National League. The next four weeks will reveal whether these moves are enough to capture the franchise’s first division crown since 2011 and return to the World Series stage they reached just two seasons ago.