Phillies roll past Marlins, into NLDS rematch with Braves: Here’s what we learned-ZoomTech News

PHILADELPHIA — All season lengthy, Bryce Harper has remained adamant that this 12 months’s Phillies staff is distinct from final 12 months’s membership.

“Simply having the ability to re-write the story,” Harper shared at a press convention earlier than the wild-card opener. “Not dwelling on final 12 months. I believe that was the large factor in spring coaching. Understanding it is a new staff, new story, new vibe.”

However whereas Harper would like to go away the previous up to now, the Phillies’ definitive two-game thumping of the Miami Marlins was an incredible reminder that the social gathering of 2022 by no means actually stopped. Positive, a number of the gamers are completely different, however the power of the factor runs acquainted, like an previous buddy you solely see every year however by no means lose a step with, like no time has handed.

On Wednesday evening, the Phillies buried the Fish, 7-to-1, beneath an avalanche of runs and chaotic power. Aaron Nola was spectacular, the offense strung some hits collectively earlier than Bryson Stott delivered the large blow, and the Phillies bullpen did not crumble up an enormous lead. 

In reality, Miami actually by no means stood an opportunity.

Possibly this can be a completely different story — the Phillies hope this go-round finally ends with two extra wins — however thus far in these playoffs, it has been a celebratory rerun. 

What we’ll bear in mind

By the primary 14 innings of this collection, the Phillies had been nearly in cruise management. They had been fully and completely dominating the Marlins, however hadn’t but delivered a second of whole euphoria. A recipe of excellent pitching and well timed hits had been successful the day, however this was smoke and some embers.

Stott’s grand slam was Vesuvius. 

Within the backside of the sixth, with the bases juiced and his membership already up three, the Phillies second baseman turned on a heater and despatched it flying into the right-field bleachers. Residents Financial institution Park erupted in full jubilation.

Stott strolled towards first base, patiently admiring his handiwork, however when the baseball returned to orbit, the soft-spoken second baseman spiked his bat proper into the bottom. Like many different vignettes from Philadelphia’s first two postseason video games, Stott’s hair-raising blast and subsequent celebration conjured up a selected reminiscence from October 2022.

Rhys Hoskins, who delivered a permanent Philadelphia sports activities spotlight along with his bomb/bat heave combo in final 12 months’s NLDS, was absent from the proceedings at Residents Financial institution Park on Wednesday evening. After tossing out an emotional first pitch Tuesday evening, Hoskins headed to the membership’s Florida complicated to proceed getting ready for a possible World Collection return.

Intentional or not, Stott’s gesture felt symbolic, an emotional linkage from final autumn to the current. His house run and the complete romp over Miami was each a reminder of what the Phillies completed final 12 months and a sign that the fireplace continues to be wholesome and burning.

Recreation 2 MVP

Phillies starter Aaron Nola was phenomenal, although the Marlins hapless lineup contributed as effectively. A shaky first half of the season seems to be effectively within the rearview, as Nola’s previous three begins have regarded extra typical of his constant magnificence in a Phillies uniform.

By pitching his membership into the subsequent spherical, Nola ensured that Wednesday wouldn’t be the ultimate house begin of his Phillies profession. The suitable-hander is a free agent at season’s finish, and whereas he is been coy about his future, the likeliest state of affairs entails one other staff outbidding the Phils. However with the sweep secured, Nola is a close to lock to begin Recreation 3 of the NLDS subsequent Wednesday again at Residents Financial institution Park.

What’s subsequent?

The Phillies will relaxation Thursday, their earned reward for a swift sweep, then fly to Atlanta for the premier NLDS of those playoffs. A rematch of final 12 months’s powder keg of a collection, it nearly feels unjust that the Nationwide League’s two greatest golf equipment will face off in a best-of-five setting. The baseball public would watch 15 straight Braves-Phillies video games if they might.

The story of this wild-card spherical, nevertheless, is straightforward and definitive: The Phillies had been considerably higher than the Marlins. So a lot better that no quantity of scrappiness, late-inning magic or managerial tact may shut the hole. The Phillies took care of enterprise, with hardly a sweat.

Now the actual October begins.

Jake Mintz, the louder half of @CespedesBBQ is a baseball author for FOX Sports activities. He performed faculty baseball, poorly at first, then very effectively, very briefly. Jake lives in New York Metropolis the place he coaches Little League and rides his bike, typically on the identical time. Comply with him on Twitter at @Jake_Mintz.

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