The Latest Breaking News from Nick Castellanos

CHICAGO — In the top of the third inning on Wednesday night, Kyle Schwarber took off from second base to third base, setting himself up to score on a sacrifice fly. He jokingly tipped his cap to the dugout, and touched home plate when Bryce Harper popped up to left…

Here’s the thing about possessing a playoff spot rather than chasing one: It’s unnecessary to always keep one eye on the out-of-town scores.

He really tried to play the victim.

Can these former All-Stars figure things out before their careers take a scary turn?

SAN FRANCISCO — It was only one game, they were sure to say, and of course, they were correct.

Pardon the skepticism, but well, the Phillies have been here before.

PHILADELPHIA — Phillies interim manager Rob Thomson said Thursday that Bryce Harper will be activated Friday after missing two months with a broken left thumb.

PHILADELPHIA —The Phillies seemed like they were headed for a deflating loss — at the hands of yet another blown save — until rookie Bryson Stott stepped up to the plate. With Jean Segura on first base and no outs, Stott saw two pitches, then promptly launched the third —…

The Phillies have lots of reasons to worry.

PHILADELPHIA — After a 4-hour, 26-minute marathon against the New York Mets on Sunday night, which the Phillies lost in soul-crushing manner in the ninth inning, they needed an unexciting game. And they got one on Monday night, in a 4-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park.

I never wavered in my belief that the Braves would figure things out even as they stumbled through the season’s first two months. They would get sorted out and make the postseason one way or another. I’ll end up being right about that. But it turns out I was wrong…