Philadelphia Phillies Steal Game 1: It’s Better To Be Lucky AND Good!

We know the old expressions that “It's that it’s better to be lucky than good.” Sometimes, you can be really good and still benefit from being lucky! Look no further than Game 1 of the NLDS. It didn’t make a lot of sense at times, but the crazy formula Rob Thomson and the Philadelphia Phillies used created one of their best games of the entire season on the biggest stage possible.

20/20 hindsight is a great blessing. It’s very easy to praise things that go well. However, at the time of the decision, it was completely contrary to logic.

It wouldn’t be the first time in a huge game where Rob Thomson pulled a starting pitcher too early. Do you remember Game 6 of the World Series in Houston?

This time, pulling Ranger Suarez came up aces. The Braves' formula to 104 wins all season has been jumping on teams early and then feasting on their bullpen. That is why this move was so counter to baseball strategy. It worked, bottom line.

A guy can sit down at a blackjack table and hit on 17. They may get a four for blackjack. It will never be considered a smart move. It may work, but pulling a starter that early is still crazy because so many things have to go right. Credit Thomson on his odd strategy working. I don’t need to see that again!

Remember all the chatter out of Atlanta last week? It’s been very quiet since Saturday night. The idea that Truist Park is in the same breath as an “intimidating postseason atmosphere” was never logical to anyone outside of metro Atlanta.

The mall was certainly quiet on Saturday. The Braves received little energy from their “home field advantage” in Atlanta. I’d suggest you stop talking on social media and actually make some noise. That was comical on Saturday.

Pat Egan posted an amazing video on the brilliant play by Trea Turner in the 8th inning on Saturday night. It was the greatest defensive play of his Phillies career at the biggest time. This guy has finally become the player fans expected they were getting.

If Zack Wheeler looks anything like he has lately tonight, this series may be really short. The Phillies just have to stay relaxed and have fun in Game 2. The Braves look too tight to wipe themselves. Don’t make the mistake of thinking the series is already over.

Watch The John Kincade Show live on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page on weekday mornings from 6am-10am.

The Phillies are back in the NLDS. After beating the Marlins in the Wild Card Round, they are moving on to face the Braves. This exact matchup went very well for the Phillies last year. It started with them winning game 1 in Atlanta. Then they got to Spencer Strider in game 3, with an unforgettable bat spike by Rhys Hoskins. And closed it out in game 4 with another HR Derby, including an inside-the-parker by JT Realmuto. But both teams look a bit different than last year, even if the core for each side still looks the same. And there are lots of new faces on the 26-man Roster this time around.

Game 1- Saturday- Oct 7th- TBD In Atlanta

Game 2- Monday- Oct 9th- TBD- In Atlanta

Game 3- Wednesday- Oct 11th- TBD- In Philly

Game 4 (if needed)- Thursday- Oct 12- TBD- In Philly

Game 5-(if needed)- Saturday- Oct 14th- TBD- In Atlanta

In the Wild Card Series, the Phillies elected to keep fewer pitchers, to add another righty, Weston Wilson, onto the 26-man roster. Mostly because the Marlins are capable of throwing a lot of tough lefty pitchers at you. The Braves do have Max Fried, but their rotation and bullpen are more righty-heavy than the Marlins are. So the approach in constructing the 26-man roster for the NLDS is a bit different. It starts with Weston Wilson being less likely to be there for this series.

So who will make it? And how have each of those guys performed this season? Here are the 26 guys who will be on the roster for the series against the Braves. Along with each of their season stats, and their stats vs. the Braves this year.

Season Stats

.252/.310/.452/.762

20 HRs, 28 2Bs, 5 3Bs, 63 RBIs, 70 Runs, 16 SBs

Stats vs Braves

.194/.250/.333/.583

1 HR, 2 2Bs, 0 3Bs, 2RBIs, 4 Runs, 0 SBs

Season Stats

.293/.401/.499/.900

21 HRs, 29 2Bs, 1 3B, 72 RBIs, 84 Runs, 11 SBs

Stats vs Braves

.244/.397/.578/.974

5 HRs, 0 2B, 0 3B, 9 RBIs, 10 Runs, 1 SB

Season Stats

.280/.329/.419/.747

15 HRs, 32 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 62 RBIs, 78 Runs, 31 SBs

Stats vs Braves

.220/.273/.380/.653

1 HR, 5 2Bs, 0 3B, 8 RBIs, 5 Runs, 4 SBs

Season Stats

.266/.320/.459/.778

26 HRs, 35 2Bs, 5 3Bs, 76 RBIs, 102 Runs, 30 SBs

Stats vs Braves

.204/.272/.370/.642

2 HRs, 3 2Bs, 0 3Bs, 7 RBIs, 7 Runs, 4 SBs

Season Stats

.274/.327/.437/.765

20 HRs, 31 2Bs, 0 3Bs, 97 RBIs, 74 Runs, 4 SBs

Stats vs Braves

.262/.319/.381/.700

1 HR, 2 2Bs, 0 3Bs, 7 RBIs, 1 Run, 0 SB

Season Stats

.277/.372/.458/.829

12 HRs, 25 2Bs, 6 3Bs, 60 RBIs, 58 Runs, 10 SBs

Stats vs Braves

.286/.362/.452/.814

2 HRs, 1 2B. 0 3B, 5 RBIs, 7 Runs, 1 SB

Season Stats

.302/.342/.430/.771

2 HRs, 9 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 23 RBIs, 24 Runs, 14 SBs

Stats vs Braves

.286/.333/.571/.905

1 HR, 1 2B, 0 3B, 2 RBIs, 4 Runs, 2 SBs

Season Stats

.272/.311/.476/.788

29 HRs, 37 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 106 RBIs, 79 Runs, 11 SBs

Stats vs Braves

.294/.345/.608/.953

4 HRs, 2 2Bs, 1 3B, 9 RBIs, 8 Runs, 0 SBs

Season Stats

.197/.343/.474/.817

47 HRs, 19 2Bs, 1 3B, 104 RBIs, 108 Runs, 0 SBs

Stats vs Braves

.184/.344/.327/.671

2 HRs, 1 2B, 0 3B, 5 RBIs, 8 Runs, 0 SB

Season Stats

.251/.293/.427/.719

10 HRs, 15 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 30 RBIs, 34 Runs, 4 SBs

Stats vs Braves

.154/.154/.231/.385

0 HRs, 1 2B, 0 3B, 2 RBIs, 1 Run, 0 SBs

Season Stats

.238/.319/.417/.736

2 HRs, 7 2Bs, 1 3B, 11 RBIs, 12 Runs, 2 SBs

Stats vs Braves

.000/.143/.000/.143

0 HRs, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 RBIs, 0 Runs, 0 SBs

Season Stats

.238/.319/.417/.736

2 HRs, 7 2Bs, 1 3B, 11 RBIs, 12 Runs, 2 SBs

Stats vs Braves

.000/.143/.000/.143

0 HRs, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 RBIs, 0 Runs, 0 SBs

Season Stats

.204/.274/.283/.557

1 HR, 4 2Bs, 1 3B, 12 RBIs, 15 Runs, 2 SBs

Stats vs Braves

.000/.000/.000/.000

0 HRs, 0 2Bs, 0 3Bs, 0 RBIs, 0 Runs, 0 SB

Season Stats

3.61 ERA, 13-6, 212 Ks, 192 IPs, 1,08 WHIP

Stats vs Braves

3.32 ERA, 2-0, 21 Ks, 19 IPs, 1.00 WHIP

Season Stats 

4.46 ERA, 12-9, 202 Ks, 193.2 IPs, 1.15 WHIP 

Stats vs Braves 

3.50 ERA, 0-0, 20 Ks, 18 IPs, 1.11 WHIP 

Season Stats

4.18 ERA, 4-6, 119 Ks, 125 IPs, 1.42 WHIP

Stats vs Braves

1.5 ERA, 0-0, 7 Ks, 6 IPs, 1.00 WHIP

Season Stats

4.38 ERA, 15-6, 138 Ks, 172.2 IPs, 1.31 WHIP

Stats vs Braves

6.00 ERA, 1-0, 6Ks, 12 IPs, 1.67 WHIP

Season Stats

3.44 ERA, 3-5, 96 Ks, 99.1 IPs, 1.05 WHIP

Stats vs. Braves

5.56 ERA, 0-2, 12 Ks, 11.1 IPs, 1.94 WHIP

Season Stats

4.18 ERA, 9-9, 111 Ks, 153 IPs, 1.21 WHIP

Stats vs. Braves

11.12 ERA, 1-1, 6 Ks, 11.1 IPs, 2.12 WHIP

Season Stats

3.26 ERA, 23 Saves, 94 Ks, 69 IPs, 1.04 WHIP

Stats vs Braves

1.50 ERA, 3 Saves, 7 Ks, 6 IPs, 0.83 WHIP

Season Stats

1.74 ERA, 10 Saves, 64 Ks, 41.1 IPs, 1.16 WHIP

Stats vs. Braves

2.25 ERA, 0 Saves, 5Ks, 4 IPS, 1.25 WHIP

Season Stats

4.62 ERA, 3 Saves, 65Ks, 60.1 IPs, 1.14 WHIP

Stats vs. Braves

8.31 ERA*, 0 Saves, 6 Ks, 4.1 Innings, 1.84 WHIP

*Most of that 8.31 came off one bad out in May, Soto has given up 1 run over his last 3 outings vs the Braves*

Season Stats

2.41 ERA, 1 Save, 69 Ks, 52.1 IPs, 0.92 WHIP

Stats vs. Braves

7.2 ERA, 0 Saves, 5 Ks, 5 IPs, 1.80 WHIP

Season Stats

3.29 ERA, 2 Saves, 108 Ks, 87.2 IPs, 1.02 WHIP

Stats vs Braves

1.69 ERA, 1 Save, 3 Ks, 5.1 IPs, 0.94 WHIP

Season Stats

3.78 ERA, 2 Saves, 48 Ks, 50 Ks, 50 IPs, 1.40 WHIP

Stats vs. Braves

0.00 ERA, 0 Saves, 3Ks, 3.2 IPs, 0.30 WHIP

Season Stats

0.00 ERA, 0 Saves, 6 Ks, 3.0 IPs, 1.33 WHIP

Stats vs Braves

Has Not Faced the Braves