The Phillies are back in the postseason for the 2nd straight year. Last year was a miracle run that nobody saw happening.

Going into this year, we had high hopes for the season.  We made it to the World Series last year and were 2 games away from winning it all.

The team made some key offseason moves with the bullpen and of course, signing All-Star shortstop Trea Turner to a long-term deal.  The Phils had their ups and downs this season like many teams do but they made the playoffs with the #1 Wildcard.

This is where matchups come into play big time.  In the playoffs, you need great starting pitching and timely hitting.  The Phillies had both in 2022 and so far they have had it this year as well.  They made short work of the Miami Marlins in the Wildcard Round beating them 2 games to none. Then, we moved on to the Atlanta Braves.  This year the Braves were an offensive juggernaut.  They could not be stopped!  If my memory serves me correctly, weren’t they almost unbeatable last year as well?  I think so! The Phils dominated the Braves in 4 games last year and well, well, well… They dominated the Braves once again this year in 4 games.

The Phillies are now in the NLCS for the 2nd straight year.  The last time the Phils made back-to-back NLCS trips was in 2008 and 2009.  The Phillies won the World Series that year and then came up short the next year against the Yankees.

Tonight, the Phillies could close the series out and win back-to-back National League pennants.  They come back home after going 1-2 in Arizona but still hold a 3-2 series lead.  Do you remember the NLCS last year?  The Phillies were going up against the San Diego Padres who had a ridiculously stacked lineup. The Phillies pitchers quieted that lineup for the most part and took a 3-1 series lead.

Game 5 was an odd game going back and forth.  The Phillies were down 3-2 in Game 5 in the bottom of the 8th inning.  No outs, J.T. Realmuto is on first base and Bryce Harper comes up to bat.

BOOM! A 2-run game homer runs to put the Phillies in front 4-3.  That is how the game would end and the Phillies were headed to the World Series.  That was exactly 1 year ago to the date.

• Rhys Hoskins Gives The Phils An Early Lead

  Rhys Hoskins really showed up in the playoffs last year.  His glove was never the best but his bat was on fire! He launched a 2-run homerun to give the Phils an early lead.

• Ugh! Juan Soto Launches A Homer

  The Padres lineup was so good and you were not going to keep them down for long.  Juan Soto took it upon himself to hit a solo shot against Phillies ace Zach Wheeler to put the Padres on the board.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbdZWSFdjiE

• Josh Bell Ties It Up In The 7th

  The rain started to come down pretty heavy in the 7th inning.  This is when Josh Bell hits a game tying double and things were not looking good.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibWocdG9ooo

• Seranthony Dominguez Goes Wild

  The rain was really coming down now and Seranthony came into the game.  You could tell he was couldn’t grip the ball.  2 straight wild pitches and the Padres take the lead 3-2 in the bottom of the 7th.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9zWPAkmWHU

• Bryce Harper With The Swing Of His Life

  You want to know why you paid Bryce Harper all that money?  When you need a big hit, Bryce delivers like Fed-Ex.

• The Phillies Win And Head To The World Series

  Starting Pitcher Ranger Suarez comes in to the close the game in the 9th inning.  Ranger is the most calm pitcher I have ever seen in big spots. Take a look at how it went down!

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