Moments after the Phillies defeated the Rays to clinch a playoff spot, Phillies’ play-by-play announcer Scott Franzke summed up the state of the ball club in a simple phrase.

“It is more relief than revelry,” said Franzke.

Franzke, whose excellent work often gets overshadowed by Tom McCarthy, hit the proverbial nail on the head.

This was the 12-hour problematic and climatic car ride where you are often too tired to appreciate you’re finally there. Trust me, I’ve taken plenty of them.

The Phillies are there, but are you comfortable?

Aside from grabbing their celebratory T-shirt and posing for a team picture on the field, the Phillies were rather subdued on the field until they got to the clubhouse.

There were plenty afraid to watch the final game Sunday to see the outcome. Those who did had a huge exhale because Arizona lost and the Phils could have backed their way into the postseason.

Those of you old enough to remember 1964 know what I’m talking about. And many assuredly had that same feeling.

But the Phils star-studded lineup came through in the clutch Sunday to save the day.

Zack Wheeler had a near-flawless, six-inning stint allowing five hits and one run, while striking out five over 97 pitches. Kyle Schwarber, Bryson Stott, and J.T. Realmuto, all of whom had their share of recent struggles, all came through with RBI doubles.

Jhoan Duran capped the cold, rainy, day with a save in front of the sparse crowd that remained and rejoiced with the final out.

The same sigh of relief could be seen on manager Don Mattingly’s face in the clubhouse celebration when Franzke asked if the team had a fresh start ahead. The same could be said for Bryce Harper.

Less than 24 hours earlier, the Phils were apparently awaiting a fate that was destined for them.

Let’s face it. Most Phillies’ fans had a sense of uncertainty and anxiety about this team. Those failed playoff finishes from the recent past — notably last season’s collapse against the Dodgers — has reinforced those feelings.

It began at the beginning of the season, and their 9-19 start created more tension.

But Dave Dombrowski, the architect of this team, pulled the trigger to get rid of former skipper Rob Thomson, who was under fire anyway.

Mattingly was viewed as the apparent season replacement at some point after he was hired as the bench coach. Still, Donnie Baseball’s lack of postseason success with the Dodgers was in the back of many minds.

The former Yankee standout alleviated any fears with his laidback demeanor and juggled lineups, and the club responded. Still, the production of several was down, primarily Realmuto and Trea Turner.

Regardless, Mattingly had the magic. The Phils went 36-19 combined in May and June, and Cristian Sanchez was looking like a 1972 version of Steve Carlton. (Unfortunately, Sanchez has looked more like Tommy Underwood in September.)

Life was good. The playoff push had begun.

July brought some dog days and only three series wins, which resulted in a paltry 9-15 record.

August brought an epiphany that the playoffs would be a reality with the team’s 21-9 record that featured both nine- and five-game win streaks.

However, September was a swoon. The Phillies began the month with a four-game series split with Atlanta, but from there, things didn’t quite go their way. They dropped 10 of their last 14, and finished the month with a 10-14 slate.

The Phillies enter Atlanta’s Truist Park this afternoon to begin a best-of-three, wild-card series against the Braves. The Phillies went 4-9 against the Braves this season.

Now, it’s the clean-slate theory, and we’ll see if the Phils’ bats will stay alive. They scored a season-month low 85 runs (3.69 per game) in September, a few ticks above their 3.69 runs in June. To make matters worse, Luis Arraez won’t be in the lineup.

The bell curve of the regular season now shifts to where the lights are always brighter and intensified.

That brings us to another postseason. And the flicker of getting back to the World Series for the first time four years ago can start to brighten again.

Jesus Is Just Alright With Me ... Jesus Luzardo, who was possibly on his way to the Cy Young Award until he was sidelined with shoulder stiffness, gets the nod today, but how far he pitches is anyone’s guess. Andrew Painter is scheduled to see action behind him.

Depending on how the game unravels, Luzardo is the Phillies best option on the road, where he’s dominated to the tune of a 9-0 recrod with a 1.76 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 115 innings.

Luzardo apparently has found the magic elixir this season, as he had a 24-22 road record coming into the season.

The Phillies are 21-8 in Luzardo’s starts, and a combined 63-25 in starts by Luzardo, Wheeler, and Sanchez.

You Gotta Have Heart ... In a recent Times News Facebook poll, the question was posed on whether the Phillies have the heart to win a championship.

An overwhelming majority of 84 percent believe they don’t, while 16 percent believe they do.

We’ll see this week.

Readers Write

Dodgers Dodging It

Dear Jeff,

As a lifelong Dodgers fan and going through many ups and downs, I have concerns about the Dodgers’ chances for a three-peat, even though they should finish with the second best record in baseball.

They have shown inconsistencies throughout the season, despite having the best roster and depth on paper. Specifically, the following players have fallen into that category: Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, Betts, Pages, Muncy, Tucker, and Kiki Hernandez. Starting pitching has been solid but the bullpen has fallen into that category. Diaz has been a bust. I hope they can pull it together for the playoffs. Should be exciting to watch.

Paul Dallara

Hawley, PA

Feeling Surreal

Dear Jeff,

The Mets held the NL East for the playoffs in 2007 until the last game of the season. They collapsed over the last few weeks and then Phillies wound up clinching on the very last game. I was actually at that Phillies game and Brett Myers was in to close the game and had to pause because the scoreboard showed the Mets game was final and they had lost.

This year is eerily similar for the Phillies except it is for a wildcard spot.

Melissa Hager

Lehighton

Feeling Good, Feeling Bad ... Some area baseball coaches joined some baseball officinados to share their thoughts on the upcoming Phillies-Braves series:

Times News editor Marta Gouger: “On paper they look great. I hope Sunday’s win is enough to give them the spark to move forward.”

Ronnie Gouger, her husband, changes his hat every time the Phillies lose. He was wearing his red and gray summer cap when they started winning Sunday, so he kept it on for the whole game and will wear it Tuesday even though he doesn’t usually wear a cap in the house. “They’re going to win 2 out of 3,” he predicts.

Sports Editor Patrick Matsinko: “I don’t see the Phillies getting out of the Wild Card round. They have the starting pitching and talent to make a run, but the inconsistency of the offense has been too difficult for me to overlook. In a short series, I think that catches up with them. I’ll take Atlanta to eliminate the Phillies in three games.”

Assistant Sports Editor Rod Heckman: “Phils struggle against left-handed pitching and Sale is dominant so Game 1 to the Braves. While Sanchez has had a great year, he’s struggled down the stretch (5.12 ERA in September). He’s also better at home than on the road, so edge to Atlanta. I hope I’m wrong but I see the Braves sweeping.”

Former long-time baseball card proprietor Lynn Solt: “Phillies in three.”

Panther Valley head coach Rich Evanko: “I like the Braves to take this Wild Card Series. Atlanta went 9-4 against Philadelphia during the regular season, and Chris Sale gives the Braves a strong advantage in Game One after posting a 2.16 ERA this year. The key will be attacking early, playing clean defense and getting the ball to the Braves bullpen with a lead. The Phillies are a dangerous team, but if the Braves control the strike zone and keep Acuña Jr. and the heart of the lineup producing, I see Atlanta advancing 2-0.”

Lehighton head coach JC Dietz: It has been such a roller coaster season for the Phillies. It would not surprise me at all if the Phillies win this series with their great starting pitching. But the Arraez injury and the Phillies bullpen worry me.”

Marian head coach John “Pilsey” Petrilyak: “Phils in three, win games 2 and 3. Red October Baby!!!!!!”

Northern Lehigh head coach Gerald Kresge: “Sadly, Braves in two.”

Jim Thorpe head coach Joe Marykwas: “Phillies in three.”

As for me, I have mixed feelings. I’ll go with my heart and the Luzardo magic continues. Another showdown with the Dodgers looms, but that’s another story.

And, where have you gone, Adolis Garcia?

Your thoughts are welcomed and will be published; email them to tnsports@tnonline.com