Philadelphia Phillies clinch 1st NL East title since 2011

The Philadelphia Phillies won the NL East for the first time since 2011, clinching the division title with a 6-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Monday night.

Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto went deep. Phillies fans went wild. And pitcher Aaron Nola provided a taste of just how great it would feel for the franchise if Philly went all the way this time.

The Phillies had rolled tarp pinned above clubhouse locker stalls before the game, a familiar protective sight for the bottle-popping ahead for a team that's made the playoffs each of the past three seasons under manager Rob Thomson.

"We know there's a really big picture ahead of us," Schwarber said before the game. "Winning the division is a big thing. If we go out there and do our thing tonight, it's going to be well deserved. It's not an easy division to win. It's never been an easy division to win. It definitely will be a cool thing."

Oh, it was cool in Philly for an announced sellout crowd of 42,386, with temperatures in the 60s — a sneak peek of October weather.

That suits this team just fine.

With at least a National League wild card already clinched last week, Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Trea Turner & Co. earned the franchise's 12th division championship — and have their sights set on the top seed in the National League playoffs.

The Phillies (93-64) hold the No. 2 spot just behind the Los Angeles Dodgers (93-63) and would earn a first-round bye should the standings hold.

"The biggest things for me, really, are winning the division and getting the bye," Thomson said. "If we get home field throughout, that's a bonus. But I won't put our players in danger to get there."

The Phillies have two games left against the Cubs and close the season with a three-game set in