The Phillies are Back in the NLCS
The Phillies won Game 4 of the NLDS Wednesday night by a score of 3-1, cruising to the NLCS after beating Major League Baseball’s best regular season team, the Atlanta Braves (104-58). During the regular season, it was questionable whether Philadelphia would even make the playoffs, but they were able to secure the first wild card spot by going 7-3 in their last ten regular season games. The Phillies used this momentum to make their way back to the NLCS by beating Atlanta in 4 games.
W: Ranger Suarez (1-0) L: Spencer Strider (0-2) SV: Matt Strahm (1)
Ranger Suarez, Phillies:
Suarez made his second start of the NLDS this postseason in Game 4, and he continued right where he left off. During Game 1, Suarez limited Atlanta’s potent offence to just 1 hit over 3.2 innings. On Wednesday night, Suarez went 5.0 innings, allowing only 3 hits and 1 Earned Run. During the 2023 regular season, Suarez posted a middle-of-the-road 4.18 ERA in 22 starts. However, his success during the postseason has been crucial to the overall success of the Phillies. In 7 career postseason games (5 starts), Suarez possesses a 1.16 ERA over 23.1 innings. Suarez will continue to be an important player for the Phillies heading into the NLCS against Arizona.
Spencer Strider, Braves:
With the Atlanta Braves facing elimination, they turned to their ace, Spencer Strider, who had an “okay” night for his standards. Strider went 5.2 innings, allowing 7 hits and 3 Earned Runs, but striking out 7 batters. This game was minorly reminiscent of Game 3 of the 2022 NLDS, where Strider faced Philadelphia and had a really rough outing, giving up 5 Earned Runs in only 2.1 innings. Spencer Strider will continue to be a key part of the Braves’ rotation, and his success is necessary for the Braves to possibly win a World Series title in the near future.
Offensive Breakdown, Phillies:
On Wednesday night, the Phillies’ offensive unit did just enough to pull out the win, despite plenty of scoring opportunities being wasted. In the bottom of the first inning, shortstop Trea Turner doubled with 1 out. The Braves wisely intentionally walked Bryce Harper, putting a runner in scoring position for Phillies’ third-baseman Alec Bohm. However, Bohm struck out swinging and the next batter, second-baseman Bryson Stott, flew out to centre field to end the inning, leaving the Phillies empty-handed. A similar situation played out in the bottom of the second inning, where there were two runners on for outfielder Johan Rojas, who lined out to centre field, with Nicholas Castellanos getting doubled off at second to conclude the inning. However, Philadelphia eventually got to Spencer Strider in the bottom of the fourth inning, where Nicholas Castellanos hit his third dinger in two games. In the very next inning, shortstop Trea Turner got in on the action, as he also took Strider deep to left field. Then, in the bottom half of the sixth inning, Nicholas Castellanos got to Strider a second time. This was Castellanos’ fourth home run in two games, as he and Bryce Harper continue to carry the load for Philadelphia’s offence. While the Phillies didn’t capitalize on major scoring opportunities, their three homers in three straight innings led Philadelphia to a 3-1 victory.
Offensive Breakdown, Braves:
If anyone was asked what weaknesses the Braves had going into the postseason, nobody would have said that their offensive unit was the shakiest aspect of Atlanta’s squad. Some would have argued that the depth in the rotation was lackluster and the bullpen was rather questionable, but Atlanta’s lineup was never in doubt prior to the NLDS beginning. Ironically, the lineup was very disappointing throughout the series, while the overall pitching staff seemed to be the strong suit of the Braves. Atlanta had an MLB-leading .870 OPS against southpaws this season, but the Braves were unable to get anything going against lefty Ranger Suarez. Atlanta was able to muster up 1 run from an Austin Riley solo shot, but other than that, the offence continued to look stale.
Top Performers, Phillies:
Trea Turner (SS): 4-4, Run, HR, RBi,
Nicholas Castellanos (RF) – 3-3, 2 Runs, 2 HR, 2 RBI, BB
Brandon Marsh (LF) – 2-4 (2 singles)
Ranger Suarez (SP) – 5.0 IP, 3 Hits, 1 ER, 2 K’s
Top Performers, Braves:
Austin Riley (3B) – 2-4, Run, HR, RBI
Sean Murphy (C) – 2-4
The Philadelphia Phillies will face the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLCS on Monday, October 16. Arizona has confirmed that All-Star Zac Gallen will start Game 1, while the Phillies’ Game 1 starter is still TBD. Both Philadelphia and Arizona have demonstrated their power so far in the postseason, with both teams being tied for the most home runs hit in the 2023 playoffs (13 each).
(Photo via John Clark/NBCS)