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The Phillies Game 3 Performance Seemed Eerily Familiar

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Author John Kincade
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 08: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on in the seventh inning against the New York Mets during Game Three of the Division Series at Citi Field on October 08, 2024 in New York City.

Let’s just say that unless something changes very quickly in 2024, Philadelphia sports fans are going to look back on this year as a complete failure. I refuse to entertain that conversation when there is still a pivotal Game 4 today. The problem that I see is where the word “pivotal” fits. Is it pivotal towards their true chances to win a playoff series or their future?

Yesterday transported me back to a snowy night in January

We are not going to litigate the Eagles 2023 season collapse over again, but watching that game yesterday I had almost the exact same reaction. All day long my excitement level wasn’t there like in previous seasons.

Going in I felt calm and was not going through the mental gymnastics of stress and strategizing. I bought into the outcome of Game 2 meaning something and the Aaron Nola start as a blessing. I didn’t have a bunch of nerves and anxiety going in. That bothered me.

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 15: Greg Gaines #96 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sacks Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida.
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

I thought back to that snowy night when the Eagles faced the Buccaneers in the wild-card round. I had convinced myself that everything was going to be fine once the challenge was presented. I disregarded all of the warning signs and was convinced that the more talented team would win.

Instead from the opening kick off it appeared that the warts they had shown all season would be the playoff headline. It sucked the life out of me. I found myself just staring at the TV and not yelling, complaining or feeling much of anything. It was terrible and I never wanted to feel that way again.

London seems so far away

When the Phillies left England the New York Mets were an underachieving team that was 16.5 games behind them in the standings. The Phillies were 25 games over .500 and had already secured 45 wins. From that day something happened and yesterday exemplified them. The team with the swagger in Queens was the Mets. Don’t paint them as some underdog story. They spent $72M more than the Phillies this year due to some terrible contracts. It’s as if the two teams changed personalities that day. One got fat and happy, complacent and lethargic. The other was energized to write a different story for the 2024 campaign. The Phillies may have just assumed that their story was a foregone conclusion.

Here is the great news for the Phillies!

When the Eagles lost to the Buccaneers it was over. The autopsy was completed and serious changes came to the coaching staff and veteran players walked away. The Phillies had a terrible loss but thankfully they get one last chance to salvage things.

I’m not giving up but I truly understand the portion of the fan base that feels despair. They haven’t given you much reason to believe. I’m not going to join the grave-digging committee, that can wait until things are officially over. It doesn’t feel great today but where there is life there is opportunity. Today changes everything.

A win can grab the wheel avoiding a crash

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 17: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on September 17, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

Everyone who has jumped off the bandwagon before the possible crash might be smart trying to dull the pain of defeat. I don’t want them anywhere near Citizens Bank Park on Friday. I can’t tolerate the on-and-off fandom. If they win today things change.

Will the same jumpers believe that a Game 5 Wheeler start at home will end in defeat? I doubt it. We learn today about the strength and character of this team. Unfortunately, I can’t begin to know what to expect. I just hope that it doesn’t end up like that January night with snow on the roof.

Watch Kincade & Salciunas on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page for discussion about the latest breaking sports news in Philadelphia.

A full blooded Delco native from a sports crazed family, John has been obsessed with Philly sports from his days at St. Annie’s drawing team logos on his book covers! Told many times by teachers along the way “if you knew your studies as well as you know your sports” he turned that perceived weakness into a career. John has been broadcasting at the local and national levels since 1992. As a content creator for 97.5 The Fanatic he writes about Eagles, Sixers, Phillies and Flyers. You can follow @johnkincade or reach him at [email protected]

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 1

    Remember when Stott sealed the win

    Brandon Marsh #16 throws water on Bryson Stott #5 of the Philadelphia Phillies following a game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on September 05, 2024 in Miami, Florida.

  • Déjà vu for the Atlanta Braves

    October 11, 2023
    National League Division Series Game 3 at Citizens Bank Park
    Phillies 10, Atlanta Braves 2

    Relive an eerily familiar NLDS

    Bryce Harper (Atta Boy) #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against Brad Hand #45 of the Atlanta Braves during the fifth inning in Game Three of the Division Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 11, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

  • 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

    It was a done deal. Right?

    Evan Longoria #3, Gabriel Moreno #14 and Ryne Nelson #19 of the Arizona Diamondbacks react to a ball that drops in for a hit in the seventh inning while playing the Philadelphia Phillies during Game Two of the Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 17, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

     

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Author John Kincade
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