Have The Confidence Phillies Fans, But Drop The False Bravado
This will be one of those textbook examples of finding out who actually reads something and who just reacts to the headline! My point of view is very easy to summarize and I won’t bury the lead. I believe the Phillies will advance to the NLCS to face the San Diego Padres. I also believe that anyone just brushing off the Mets as an afterthought with no concerns are either lying or just bluffing. I also have done this long enough to know that 20/20 hindsight means nothing to me.
Being a fan doesn’t mean you have to be a homer
Don’t listen to the nonsense. It doesn’t make you less of a fan if you look at an opponent objectively and have a healthy dose of respect for them. When the Phillies and Mets left London the Phillies were 16.5 games ahead of New York. Since that point the Mets played considerably better baseball. After watching them dispatch of the Braves and the Brewers, they once again displayed a clutch quality that is very dangerous this time of year.
The Phillies won the season series and it’s better than it seems
The Phillies won the season series vs New York 7-6, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Taijuan Walker won’t be taking the mound as a starter in this series. He lost his three starts against his old club and otherwise the Phillies had the Mets number. That is a reason to be confident that the starters can do the job vs the versatile Mets lineup.
New York has never been intimidated by Citizens Bank Park
Familiarity breeds contempt. That is the extra juice that the post season of baseball rarely needs. It will create perfect drama but it comes with a warning. Since both teams understand what they are walking into the potential home field advantage is lessened a bit. Will the Phillies fans travel to Flushing? Red October is usually built upon intimidation of the opponent. I don’t believe that factors into this series.
You can have confidence without arrogance
The Phillies will win the NLDS. I don’t believe that it is going to be easy. I’m not going to just do the sunshine and lollipops routine. The Phillies have had two solid October runs based on getting off to strong starts. They win the first game of every series in 2022 and did it again in 2023. That’s a perfect mark over two consecutive seasons at 7-0. If you want to beat the Mets a victory on Saturday is critical. You can’t afford to waste any Wheeler starts.
I asked a MLB player how the Phillies could NOT get to the World Series
This player told me that the Phillies were the most likely team to be able to go 11-8 to win a championship. I asked what could possibly derail their chances. He said that you don’t want to have to use Wheeler twice in the NLDS.
This would be my plan. I’m starting Christopher Sanchez in Game 2 no matter the outcome of the first game. I’ll take my chances with Nola in Game 3. You can’t panic. If the Phillies are truly the best team then you can’t blink worrying about the possibility of players not answering the bell.
What happens?
Phillies defeat the Mets in 4 and it will be completely stressful. The Padres will upset the Dodgers in 4. The NLCS will open in Philadelphia and they will have home field over any potential opponent. Prepare yourself for incoming drama!
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Phillies Red October Memories: Classics from the 2023 MLB Playoffs
Bryson Stott Grand Slam Finishes Marlins
October 4, 2023
National League Wild Card Series Game 2 at Citizens Bank Park
Phillies 7, Miami Marlins 1Remember when Stott sealed the win
Déjà vu for the Atlanta Braves
October 11, 2023
National League Division Series Game 3 at Citizens Bank Park
Phillies 10, Atlanta Braves 2Relive an eerily familiar NLDS
DBacks Can't Handle The Crowd?
October 16-17, 2023
National League Championship Series Games 1-2 at Citizens Bank Park
Phillies 5, Arizona Diamondbacks 3; Phillies 10, Arizona Diamondbacks 0
