The Philadelphia Phillies postseason run continues against the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series after eliminating the Miami Marlins in an NL Wild Card Series. The Braves, who won their sixth consecutive NL East title, have been waiting to learn its opponent after another first round by. And like last year, the Phillies marched their way through the best-of-three Wild Card Series for a showdown against its division rival. There is a good chance that whichever team wins this series goes on to win the World Series.
Chances of advancing from the LDS (FanGraphs):
Braves 60.8%, Phillies 39.2%
Dodgers 58.6%, Diamondbacks 41.4%
Astros 56.5%, Twins 43.5%
Rangers 54.2%, Orioles 45.8%Which teams do you think will advance? Polls ?
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) October 5, 2023
Phillies Postseason Vibes Are In Full Swing
Braves vs. Phillies 2.0
The Phillies saw Zack Wheeler or Aaron Nola have their best outings in recent starts. In 13 2/3 innings Wheeler and Nola combined to allow one run. The duo also combined to record 11 strikeouts. Additionally, Wheeler and Nola are now tied with Cliff Lee for the second most playoff starts in Phillies history with no more than one run allowed in six or more innings with three. The two pitchers tied for the team record are Steve Carlton and Cole Hamels. It is possible that Wheeler and/or Nola could match or pass Carlton and Hamels on the list if this postseason run continues. Because of these performances, the Phillies did not have to exhaust their bullpen. High-leverage situations came up in Game 1 but not Game 2.
At the plate, the Phillies bats delivered scoring a combined 11 runs in the series. Game 1 saw each of the Phillies starting position players record a hit. According to Baseball Reference, this was the sixth time in Phillies postseason history that at least nine players got a hit. Each of the prior five times this happened the Phillies played in the World Series. During Game 2 Bryson Stott joined Shane Victorino as the two Phillies players to hit a grand slam in a playoff game. Additionally, Stott broke the record previously held by Victorino for the youngest Phillies player to have a four-RBI game in the postseason.
October 2, 2008: @ShaneVictorino hit the first #Postseason grand slam in @Phillies history.
15 years later, @bryson_stott10 hit the second. pic.twitter.com/RalzggHdYe
— MLB Vault (@MLBVault) October 5, 2023
The Phillies Outfield Platoon
So far Thomson has elected to go with a platoon in left field. Against left-handed pitchers, the Phillies have started Cristian Pache in left field. Meanwhile, against right-handed pitchers, Brandon Marsh will start in left field. During the regular season, Pache had a .314/.375/.549 line against left-handed pitchers compared to a .121/.237/.212 line against right-handed pitchers.
For comparison, Marsh had a .229/.321/.396 line against left-handed pitchers compared to a .292/.387/.477 line against right-handed pitchers during the regular season. Given the defensive abilities of Pache and Marsh the platoon is due to pitching matchups. As seen against the Marlins, Thomson will adjust who plays left field in the game as necessitated by opposing pitchers.
The Phillies Can Win If…
Last year Atlanta was different and so was Philadelphia. There are no surprises between both teams and that’s what makes this matchup the most anticipated one this round. If they can steal one in Atlanta, then come home and try to finish it with two wins at Citizens Bank Park. It will be a mismatch in Game 1 with either Ranger Suarez Taijuan Walker or Cristopher Sanchez against Spencer Strider. Wheeler and Nola will go in Games 2 and 3 respectively. The Braves were the best team all season, but the Phillies are armed with the experience of last October and that can be powerful.
Photo Credit: © Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
