CT’s Top 3: The Top Storylines for NLDS Game 3

There is a feeling of confidence for some in the fan base ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies' game 3 NLDS matchup with the New York Mets. Some, though, is by no means all. As the series shifts up to New York, there are others in the fan base, myself included, that have some nerves popping up as 5:08 pm draws closer. We talked about it earlier today on Kincade And Salciunas.

Whatever you're feeling about game 3, there is no denying that it's a monster game for both teams. Here are my top 3 storylines for tonight's pivotal matchup between the Phils and Mets:

The Phillies will go with Aaron Nola in game 3 to face off against Sean Manaea, and the postseason track record of the two hurlers could not be more different. Nola boasts a 3.70 career postseason ERA, while Manaea is 0-3 in the playoffs in his career with a 10.66 ERA. He also has some pretty rough stats against current Phillies hitters... so is there a major pitching mismatch in this one? Certainly something to keep an eye on.

The Mets have been on an amazing run to even get to this point, surviving a hurricane-delayed double header, a wild card series in Milwaukee, and the first two games in Philly. It's been a long time since they've been home. We saw what that did for the Phillies in 2022, who went through a similar path. Game 3 of the NLDS that year? The Rhys Hoskins bat spike game. So, are the Mets exhausted from the path, or relieved to be home? We'll find out tonight.

After an all-star starter season for Alec Bohm, he was unceremoniously benched 1 game into the Phillies postseason run in the midst of an awful slump at the plate. He was inserted into game 2 for a pinch-hit opportunity, but he will be placed back into the lineup for tonight's game 3 according to Rob Thomson. Can the Phillies finally get postseason production from the hot corner? It could be the difference in going up 2-1 or facing elimination on Wednesday.

After the Philadelphia Phillies broke a long playoff drought with a wild card berth in the MLB Playoffs in 2022, the city suddenly remembered the euphoria of postseason baseball at Citizens Bank Park.

An unexpected run from the sixth seed in the National League reignited Red October like nobody could've expected after 11 years of disappointment.

The Phillies swept the St. Louis Cardinals in "Baseball Heaven" to get things started. They stunned the heavily favored Atlanta Braves and convinced an entire fan base to believe.

The incredible momentum continued through a dramatic series win against the San Diego Padres to clinch the National League pennant.

Although they couldn't finish off the Houston Astros in the World Series, the city of Philadelphia will always remember the 2022 Phillies for a miracle October ride that coincided with success for the Eagles, Union, Flyers, and 76ers during the best month in Philadelphia sports history.

Relive the whirlwind of an unforgettable October with rally towels waving in the autumn air, the tension of living and dying with every pitch, and one of the best runs in Phillies franchise history.

October 7, 2022
National League Wild Card Series Game 1 at Busch Stadium
Phillies 6, St. Louis Cardinals 3

October 14-15, 2022
National League Division Series, Games 3-4 at Citizens Bank Park
Phillies 9, Atlanta Braves 1; Phillies 8, Atlanta Braves 3

October 18, 2022
National League Championship Series Game 1 at Petco Park
Phillies 2, San Diego Padres 0

October 23, 2022
National League Championship Series Game 5 at Citizens Bank Park
Phillies 4, San Diego Padres 3

October 28, 2022
World Series Game 1 at Minute Maid Park
Phillies 6, Houston Astros 5

November 1, 2022
World Series Game 3 at Citizens Bank Park
Phillies 7, Houston Astros 0