MLB News: Phillies Bounce the Padres to Head to the World Series
After the Padres bounced the Dodgers last weekend in the NLDS, the LA team received lots of comments about how nothing they accomplished all season mattered if they didn’t win the World Series. Now, the Padres join them for a depressing offseason after the Phillies ended their season on Sunday.
After the Dodgers lost in the NLDS, many fans checked out of October baseball but any fan of baseball has to give credit where credit is due and the Phillies definitely deserve it.
The Phillies were 87-75 this season and at one point had one of the worst records in history.
The No. 6 seeded Phillies fought their way into the postseason after sweeping St. Louis 2-0 in the Wild Card Series.
Next, they went on to win the NLDS 3-1 against the World Series defending champs, the Atlanta Braves.
Then in the most recent battle, the Phillies took down the Padres in the NLCS 3-1 in front of their electric home crowd to advance to the World Series.
It’s been a true underdog story for the Philadelphia team led by Bryce Harper who signed a 13-year $330 million contract with the Phillies back in 2019. He’s definitely lived up to that gigantic paycheck.
After a go ahead double in Game 4 to put Philidaphia up for good in a crazy 10-6 win over the Padres, Bryce Harper was at it once again on Sunday night.
His hitting streak extended to 10 games as he recorded a single in his first at-bat and a late game home run to carry the team to a 4-3 victory. This postseason he’s hitting for a .419 AVG and a 1.351 OPS.
Some cool stats after Game 5 of the NLCS:
most XBH in single postseason, Phillies history:
2022 Bryce Harper: 11
2009 Ryan Howard: 10
2008 Jayson Werth: 10 https://t.co/x5azKB0OuC— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 23, 2022
most HR in single postseason, Phillies history:
2009 Jayson Werth: 7
2009 Chase Utley: 6
1993 Lenny Dykstra: 6
2022 Bryce Harper: 5
2022 Rhys Hoskins: 5— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 23, 2022
Also, a bizarre Dodgers streak dies tonight:
The Padres are the first team since 2015 to eliminate the Dodgers from the postseason and not win the World Series:
2021: Braves in NLCS
2020: Dodgers won
2019: Nationals in NLDS
2018: Red Sox in WS
2017: Astros in WS
2016: Cubs in NLCSA weird streak finally comes to an end.
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) October 23, 2022
This was the team’s first National League pennant since 2009. They will now play for a chance to win their first World Series since 2008.
After Game 3, Harper, the 2021 NL MVP, had this to say to the media:
“I believe our team is built for October baseball, I really do”
The Phillies are writing one of the most beautiful underdog stories in MLB history and it’s not over yet. They will most likely face a strong Astros team who has yet to lose in the postseason. Games 1 and 2 would take place in Houston.
