There’s nothing like playoff baseball.
As the Phillies celebrated on the field in St. Louis on Saturday night, I couldn’t have been the only one exhaling in the Philadelphia region. After 162 mostly ho-hum, run-of-the-mill kind of regular games, the intensity level of every out jumped exponentially during a Phillies two-game sweep of the Cardinals.
The best part? We get to do it again this week, and against the hated Braves.
Here are all my takes on the Phillies winning a playoff series for the first time in 11 years, what it means, and a look ahead to the Division Series vs. Atlanta.
1. I’m so glad the Phillies made the postseason.
After the Phillies were swept by the Cubs, I was ready to throw in the towel. The postseason seemed like a waste of time for this group. In fact, I thought it could be a detriment to the franchise because backing in (or getting there due to Milwaukee’s ineptitude) could trick management into believing in a core that wasn’t worth more investment. Forget all that. This is where this franchise needs to be right now.
2. Kyle Schwarber is a winner.
I type and say those two words often because it’s true. Schwarber is the ultimate leader. Recently, Dave Dombrowski said Schwarber is the best clubhouse presence he’s ever been around. His two sac flies in St. Louis were pivotal. That post-win clubhouse celebration was hilarious. Schwarber has now been part of nine series-clinchers. There’s no way the Phillies are here without him.
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3. Aaron Nola rose to the moment.
Nola’s last week (vs. Houston in the clincher, vs. St. Louis in Game 2): 13.1 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 15 SO, 1 BB. Brilliant, big-game pitcher performances. Nola is one of the best pitchers in franchise history, ranking top-10 in innings and strikeouts. A few more performances like we’ve seen this October and his legacy here could change very quickly.
4. I love the Zach Eflin story.
In July and August, Eflin seemed ticketed for being out for the season. His Phillies career was likely over. His free-agent pay day was out the window. Then he kept working his way back, even though the clock was against him. To go from where he was two months ago to standing on the mound getting the biggest outs this franchise has seen in a decade is an incredible story.
5. ESPN’s broadcast was nauseating.
Please. No more Michael Kay. No more Alex Rodriguez. That Game 2 display was an ode to the Cardinals legends. The irony of watching Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols go out against an upstart Phillies team was perfect, even though the national broadcast was too busy getting names wrong and making the game hard to watch to recognize.
6. Rhys Hoskins has to wake up ASAP.
Hoskins’ clubhouse celebrations and sound bites have been the most memorable thing he’s contributed to the team in over a week. Dating back to Saturday, Oct. 1, Hoskins is 1-for-28 with 11 strikeouts. His at-bats have been awful. I doubt Topper drops him from the No. 2 spot in the order, but the Phillies can’t beat the Braves without Hoskins waking up.
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7. Alec Bohm played with poise and calm in St. Louis.
The stage will shrink some players. It brought out the best in Bohm in St. Louis.
8. Why in the world was Nick Castellanos in the outfield in the eighth and ninth inning in Game 2?
For as many good decisions Rob Thomson has made in his short tenure as Phillies manager (including pinch-running Edmundo Sosa in the ninth inning of Game 1), leaving Castellanos out there with a lead (instead of substituting Matt Vierling) was insane. Good thing a game-deciding ball wasn't hit to right field.
9. Bryce Harper’s home run ignited the game, but his base running needs to stop being egregiously bad.
That first-inning swing was perfect. Darryl Strawberry-esque, as Rodriguez astutely pointed out on ESPN. But Harper trying to take second base in the middle innings was bad baseball. Please don’t waste my time or yours pointing out the replay could have led to a safe call. If you cross the street with your eyes closed and make it across without getting hurt, is it smart? Harper has been around too long to make as many outs on the bases as he does. Hustle is appreciated. Smart baseball is more important.
10. You can tell how much this means to Jean Segura.
Segura was the guy I wanted at the plate in the ninth inning of Game 1. He called the mound conference to help settle Seranthony Dominguez down in the eighth inning of Game 2. After a decade of wondering if Segura truly cared about winning or losing, you can see how much this all now means to the veteran infielder.
11. Phillies pitching is set for the NLDS–for now.
Ranger Suarez in Game 1. Zack Wheeler in Game 2. Aaron Nola (on extra rest) in Game 3. Then what? I have no idea who pitches Game 4. Bailey Falter is the most trustworthy, but the Braves crushed lefties all year. I’m bracing for Kyle Gibson, and not thrilled about it.
12. Keep an eye on Spencer Strider’s health.
The electric Braves rookie hurt his oblique in September, likely ending his bid for NL Rookie of the Year. But his return could hold the cards to this series. Will he start? Will he relieve? Will he be less than 100 percent like Mets ace Max Scherzer seemed to be vs. the Padres? In four appearances (three starts) vs. the Phillies this season, Strider put up these video-game numbers: 4-0, 21.1 IP, 1.27 ERA, 34 K, 7 BB. If he’s not right, it’s the opening the Phillies need for an upset.
13. There’s nothing better than postseason rally towels.
I can’t wait to see what Citizens Bank Park looks like with the towels waving on Friday night. It will be electric.
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