Desk Report:
In a dazzling showcase of skill and determination, the Philadelphia Phillies asserted their dominance in the first game of the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Atlanta Braves. The outcome left no room for complacency among the Braves’ faithful.
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A Surprising Turn of Events
In a surprising twist, the 2023 Atlanta Braves, renowned for their record-breaking slugging percentage, OPS+, and home runs, found themselves unable to put a single run on the board against the Philadelphia Phillies during Saturday night’s game. This marked an unprecedented occurrence for the Braves, who had not suffered such a setback at home throughout the season. In stark contrast, the Phillies showcased their offensive prowess, scoring three crucial runs to secure a resounding 3-0 victory in this highly anticipated matchup.
Braves’ High Hopes Dashed
The Braves entered this postseason game with great hope and anticipation, having diligently prepared during the interim period with rigorous scrimmage games in the preceding week. Saturday night was the moment they had long awaited—a chance for the 104-win juggernaut to avenge their defeat at the hands of the Phillies the previous October. Throughout the summer, the Braves’ formidable offense had wreaked havoc on their adversaries, resulting in record-breaking attendance at Truist Park. The fans were eager for an epic showdown.
However, the game concluded with the Braves trailing 1-0 in the series, enduring their first shutout at home since August 2021, and the field was strewn with discarded debris, reflecting the disappointment of the home crowd.
Pitching Takes Center Stage
The series had been hyped as a clash between two powerhouse lineups, but Game 1 showcased the brilliance of pitching. Bryson Stott’s RBI single in the fourth inning provided the Phillies with an early lead. Bryce Harper extended the lead with a remarkable home run in the sixth inning, capitalizing on a Spencer Strider first-pitch slider. An intriguing bases-loaded catcher’s interference call in the eighth inning added another run to the Phillies’ tally.
The play underwent review and was ultimately upheld, with a perplexing replay displayed on the stadium’s video board. In response, some disgruntled Braves fans resorted to tossing debris onto the field, resulting in a brief delay as stadium staff cleared the area.
For a fleeting moment, it appeared that this incident had ignited the Braves’ offense. With runners on the corners and just one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, Ozzie Albies stood at the plate, representing the tying run. Phillies reliever Matt Strahm seemed to be in a precarious situation.
However, Albies hit a ground ball toward the 5-6 hole, seemingly destined for a hit. Yet, Phillies shortstop Trea Turner executed an extraordinary full-extension dive to his glove side, scooped up the ball backhanded, and swiftly delivered it to second base. Stott, positioned at second, completed the double play with a throw to first base. The inning concluded, sealing the game’s fate, much to the disappointment of the largest crowd in Truist Park history.
Stott commented on the incredible play, stating, “Whoa. I was kind of like, whoa. I was in flight. That was really cool.”
Unforeseen Pitching Excellence
The match was anticipated to favor Atlanta in terms of pitching, making it a game that Philadelphia could afford to lose. Thanks to their first-round bye, the Braves had strategically arranged their starting rotation. Conversely, the Phillies had deployed their top two pitchers, Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, to secure a victory against the Marlins in the wild-card round. On paper, it seemed like a pitching mismatch: Spencer Strider versus the Phillies’ third starter, Ranger Suárez.
Trea Turner makes a spectacular play to turn two and get the @Phillies out of a jam! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/VwzviHpDTn
— MLB (@MLB) October 8, 2023
Nonetheless, the Phillies defied expectations, primarily owing to an outstanding performance by Suárez and a parade of six relievers. Suárez, who had cultivated a reputation as a cold-blooded postseason pitcher, did not allow a single hit until Matt Olson’s single in the fourth inning. Though he was subsequently replaced, the Phillies’ bullpen remained unwavering. Jeff Hoffman, affectionately known as “Hoffdaddy,” escaped the jam and preserved the shutout.
Observing a constant rotation of one-inning relievers facing Strider, who had recently set a record for the highest strikeout rate for a starter in MLB history, was somewhat unusual. Nonetheless, this is the nature of modern baseball, where the term “bullpen game” no longer induces anxiety.
Nick Castellanos admitted, “Sometimes I play manager out there. And I’d be lying if I said that sometimes I don’t worry [about finding 27 outs], but then I check myself and remember that my job is to catch a flyball.”
Strider’s Impressive Performance
Much of the pre-Game 1 focus had centered on Strider. In last year’s NLDS, the rookie pitcher had entered the series with a nagging oblique injury, having not pitched in three weeks. His fastball velocity had decreased, and the Phillies had capitalized on this vulnerability.
However, Strider was not the headline of the day on Saturday. The robust pitcher delivered an exceptional performance, striking out eight batters over seven impressive innings. Most Phillies hitters struggled against his dominant fastball-slider combination. If the Braves had managed to score more runs, Strider could have emerged as the hero, finally conquering his demons and seeking redemption. Nevertheless, fate had different plans.
A Startling Beginning to the Series
The outcome of Game 1 was a startling start to what promises to be an extraordinary series. “Phillies shut out Braves at home with a bullpen game” was not a scenario anyone had expected.
Although the game lacked significant drama, its result has the potential to reshape the entire series landscape. In Game 2, scheduled for Monday, the Phillies will enjoy the advantage of starting pitching and a well-rested bullpen. Zack Wheeler will face Max Fried, one of the league’s top pitchers, who missed the end of the regular season due to blister issues. The Phillies will then return to Citizens Bank Park, where they have traditionally excelled during this time of the year.
Nonetheless, their composed manager, Rob Thomson, remains cautious. In October, even a short series can evolve into an extended battle. “You can’t take anyone for granted,” he emphasized. “I mean, those guys have to pitch, and we have to play.”
