Red October Continues, Phillies Are Heading Back to the NLCS
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 12: Nick Castellanos #8 and Brandon Marsh #16 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate after Castellanos hit a home run in the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves during Game Four of the Division Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 12, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Breathe a giant sigh of relief Phillies fans, they won. They made things a little difficult at times, and our nerves were tested. We even got a brief Bryce Harper injury scare. But in the end, it all paid off in a 3-1 win, to send the Braves packing, and the Phillies back to the NLCS. For the 3rd time this season, the Phillies and Philadelphia get to party on the field at Citizens Bank Park. Two more celebrations to go.
Ranger matched Spencer Strider and then some. Just 1 run allowed through 5 innings. He passed the baton to the Bullpen. And despite some serious stress, including 3 straight walks to load the bases for Ronald Acuna, they got the job done. 4 scoreless innings, finishing with Matt Strahm coming in with men on 1st and 3rd to get 3 straight outs and close out the game. It went from Seranthony Dominguez to Jose Alvarado, to Craig Kimbrel, to Gregory Soto, and finally to Strahm. And the pitching staff held the potent Braves lineup, dubbed by many as the greatest lineup in MLB history, to 7 runs in 4 games.
But the player of the game would have to go to Nick Castellanos. His 2 HR night in game 3 went under the radar a bit since Bryce Harper did it too. But tonight, Castellanos became the first player ever to have 2 straight 2 Hr games in the playoffs, both off of Spencer Strider. He also drew a walk and singled in the 8th inning. The 3rd run came on a Trea Turner solo shot, 1 of 4 hits for him on the night.
Next up are the Diamondbacks, who swept the Dodgers out of the NLDS. They will have to come to Philly though. That series starts on Monday, with a second straight trip to the World Series on the line for the Phillies. And because they took care of business tonight, they can line it up to go Zack Wheeler game 1, Aaron Nola game 2, and Ranger Suarez game 3.
Who would pitch in game 4 is not known. But for now, who cares? The Phillies are back in the NLCS, and have a very good chance to make it to the World Series. 8 more wins and there can be a parade down Broad Street.
11 Bryce Harper Highlights That Define A Phillies Superstar
When the Phillies signed Bryce Harper in 2019, they knew they were getting one of the most colorful personalities in baseball. However, they might not have known that the former first-overall pick would become one of the highlights of Philadelphia sports history as a player who saves his best performances for the biggest moments.
Bryce Harper Highlights: The Clutch Gene
When Harper steps to the plate at Citizens Bank Park, the crowd feels a sense of confidence. It’s typical for fans to get excited about a two-time National League MVP, but the fearless attitude that Harper carries takes things to a different level.
It could be within the frenzy of a Red October crowd or during a day game in May against a last-place team. At any given moment, opponents cannot underestimate Harper.
“Bryce Harper is a superstar, a magnetic personality, but at the same time, this guy plays hard. He cares about every pitch that’s thrown. He acts like every pitch is the last one he’s ever going to see. In the city of Philadelphia, they really appreciate that.” –Raul Ibanez
The Superstar Attitude
Philadelphia saw the flamboyant attitude of the anointed savior when he reached the majors with the Washington Nationals in 2012. Cole Hamels plunked the loudmouth rookie in a May series in Philadelphia, but Harper got the last laugh. He used the free base to steal home for the upstart Nationals. It was a spark for a team that ultimately dethroned the five-time defending NL East champs that season.
The tide turned when the Philadelphia Phillies signed Harper in 2019. A hated opponent immediately became a celebrated hero. He passed on wearing #34 out of respect for Roy Halladay. He put on the Phillie Phanatic cleats. The fans almost lost their minds after the curtain call that followed his first home run in red pinstripes.
“Bryce Harper might be the most clutch player I’ve ever seen in Philadelphia…The guy just has it in him. There’s people that seem to play well in big moments, and there’s people that crave big moments. I think he’s the guy that craves it AND does it.” -Bob Cooney
A superstar comes up with a big play when his teammates turn to him in times of need. No professional athlete fits the definition better than Bryce Harper, and he has created some of the most incredible highlights that Phillies fans will ever see.
11 Best Bryce Harper Highlights
Dylan MacKinnon is The Digital Content Coordinator For 97.5 The Fanatic. he has been an Eagles, Flyers, Sixers, and Flyers fan his whole life. He graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelors in Journalism. Dylan has worked at the Fanatic since 2016, starting as an Intern, moving to the Street team, and eventually was hired as an Associate Producer before settling into his current role in the Digital Department. You may hear him referred to on-air as "The D-Train."
