The Philadelphia Phillies won their Wild Card series against the Miami Marlins convincingly. The Philadelphia fans again turned Citizens Bank Park into a place of euphoria for two consecutive days. The Atlanta Braves will play the Phillies in a Divisional series for a second consecutive year.
The Phillies upset the Braves in a Divisional series last year. The win further fueled Philadelphia’s playoff run to the World Series. Atlanta can maintain the club that ended their 2022 season without motivation. Here are three players who must excel for Philadelphia to defeat its division rival in the postseason.
Bryce Harper
The outfielder/first baseman needs to impact offensively in the Divisional series.
If there is one Phillies player fans should maintain confidence in, it is Bryce Harper. Many key moments in the club’s unexpected playoff run last season were due because of him. He has played a massive part in Philadelphia’s resurgence to a contender.
BRYCE HARPER ARE YOU SERIOUS?! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/NKRTeNLJMl
— MLB (@MLB) October 23, 2022
Harper scored a critical run late against the Marlins in Game 1 to expand the Phillies lead in a tight game. He managed to walk twice in Game 2, but the star player struck out three times in the series. Against the Braves high-octane offense, he needs to get on base as much as possible or drive in runs.
Philadelphia’s lineup is loaded with talent, but the 30-year-old’s performance will significantly influence whether the organization defeats the Braves in the upcoming series. In last year’s playoff series, he had multiple hits in three of the four games against Atlanta. The star player had multiple RBI in two of the four contests. That sort of production needs to be replicated to help his club have a chance at defeating their division rival. Phillies fans should have confidence that he will play well.
Jose Alvarado
Philadelphia’s reliever can be tough for the opposition to face.
Jose Alvarado dealt with a recurring ailment during the regular season. The Phillies placed him on the injured list twice for inflammation in his left elbow. Following his second stint on the injured list, his return boosted Philadelphia’s bullpen.
Manager Rob Thomson put Craig Kimbrel in a save situation during Game 1 of the Wild Card series as Alvarado pitched earlier in the contest. The Phillies manager may be flexible with who to use in a safe situation. Kimbrel struggled with a 5.73 ERA during August, which created some uncertainty if the club should make a change to who should be its closer.
Alvarado represents arguably the Phillies’ best option for Thomson to use in the closer’s role. He struck out two Marlins batters in an inning and gave up one hit in Game 1. While the reliever can be unpredictable as to whether or not he will have a good outing, he is a difficult pitcher for his opponents to encounter when he is in the zone. He can throw nearly 100 miles per hour with his fastball, and his cutter averages 93 miles per hour. The chances are good he will play a significant role for Philadelphia in the Divisional series.
Zack Wheeler
The Phillies ace aims to repeat his exceptional start during the Wild Card series against the Braves.
Zack Wheeler can improve little at all in his next playoff start. Philadelphia’s number one starter has the task of repeating his excellent outing against Miami versus Atlanta. He pitched 6.2 innings, allowed five hits and one earned run, and finished with eight strikeouts for a 1.35 ERA in Game 1 of the Wild Card series.
Wheeler pitched six innings, allowed four hits, three earned runs, walked one batter, and had five strikeouts in Game 2 against the Braves last postseason. Two of his three outings against Atlanta this year were solid. On May 27, he pitched eight innings, surrendered three hits, walked one batter, had zero earned runs, and finished with 12 strikeouts. He earned his second win of the season against them on September 18. He threw for six innings, allowed one earned run on three hits, and walked two batters, along with five strikeouts.
Round of applause, Wheels pic.twitter.com/NwiMo9qAQj
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 4, 2023
It is unknown when Wheeler will pitch next. It could be in Game 2 at Truist Park on October 9. If that is the case, the Phillies top pitcher could need to help even the series with a good start. Or he may be in a position to help Philadelphia earn a second road win to put them in a spot to close the series out at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies will need contributions from their entire roster to defeat the Braves in the Divisional series. Due to how essential the impacts that players such as Harper, Alvarado, and Wheeler have for Philadelphia, their performances could help make or break the club’s chances for success against Atlanta.
Main Photo Credits: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
