Phillies One Win From Clinching NL East vs Royals

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies, who have already secured a spot in the playoffs, are one victory away from clinching the National League East as they host the Kansas City Royals at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday evening. Right-hander Taijuan Walker is lined up to start for the Phillies against Kansas City’s Ryan Bergert in a matchup that could decide the division for Philadelphia with a single win, according to team sources.

Philadelphia’s postseason berth was confirmed earlier this week after a Dodgers victory eased the path to October, league and local reports said. The club’s margin atop the NL East has widened in recent weeks, shrinking the Phillies’ magic number to clinch the division from seven earlier this month to one following a run of victories and the New York Mets’ collapse. A win at home would give Philadelphia the division title and move the club closer to securing a favorable postseason seed and the potential first-round bye awarded to the top two NL teams.

The Phillies enter the series riding an extended stretch of strong home play. They rank among National League leaders in power, with Kyle Schwarber hitting 50 home runs this season and leading the...