PLAYOFF BASEBALL: Phillies, Zack Wheeler take the field for Game 1 of the NLWCS at 2:07 EST
After 4,016 days, the Philadelphia Phillies have found themselves back in contention to be crowned world champions of baseball once again.
The Phillies kick off Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series today at 2:07 EST as they take on the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
They say history always rewrites itself, and that is no different for this upcoming series. The Phillies meet again with the team that ended their glorious 102-60 season in Game 5 at Citizens Bank Park back in 2011.
From a core of guys like Howard, Utley, Rollins and Halladay, to a sneaky group of Harper, Hoskins, Nola, and Wheeler, the Phils will look to turn some heads and bring playoff baseball back to Philadelphia.
DraftKings Sportsbook: Bet $5, Win $200 INSTANTLY
- Sign up for a new DraftKings account
- Make Your First Deposit
- Bet $5+ On Any Sport
- Get $200 In Free Bets Instantly
Game 1 Matchup: Zack Wheeler vs. Jose Quintana
Zack Wheeler
The Phillies will send Zack Wheeler to the mound this afternoon, pitching in the playoffs for the first time in his career. Wheeler has been a force for the Phillies since he arrived back in 2020 and has thrown a fantastic 2022 season for the Fightins.
Wheeler holds a 2.82 ERA on the year with a 12-7 record. He’s struck out 163 batters and holds a WHIP of just 1.04. Wheeler is 6-4 on the road this season with a 3.84 ERA.
The Phillies ace has faired well against St. Louis this year, holding a 0.00 ERA in two starts and 14 total innings. He’s allowed just nine hits and has struck out 10, limiting the Cardinals to a team batting average of .180.
Paul Goldschmidt is 1-6 with a strikeout against Wheeler this season, while Nolan Arenado is 4-6.
Jose Quintana
Jose Quintana will get a surprising Game 1 start for the Cardinals, holding a 6-7 record on the year with a 2.93 ERA and 137 Ks.
Quintana was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates at the MLB Trade Deadline back in July and was a good pickup for a Cardinals rotation that needed a left-hander. Quintana recorded a 0.89 ERA in 5 September starts, allowing just three earned runs in 30.1 innings.
Phillies Top 3 Performers Against the Cardinals This Season (7 Games)
Rhys Hoskins batted .360 with nine hits, three home runs, 4 RBIs, and four runs scored in 7 games against the Cardinals this season.
Alec Bohm batted .421 with eight hits, two home runs, 3 RBIs, and five runs scored in 6 games against the Cardinals this season.
J.T. Realmuto batted .263 with five hits, a home run, 2 RBIs, and two runs scored in 5 games against the Cardinals this season.
Read More: Why the Philadelphia Phillies are primed to upset St. Louis >>
Game 1 Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
| Phillies | -1.5 (+164) | -104 | O7 (-102) |
| Cardinals | +1.5 (-200) | -112 | U7 (-120) |
Series Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
For the love of God, please hammer Phillies +106 to win the series.
Parlay Palace: Red October Edition
- Rhys Hoskins HR
- JT Realmuto Hit
- Alec Bohm Hit
- Phillies ML
- Zack Wheeler 6+ Ks
$25 to win $907. Let’s ride.
The TLL crew is taking on Arizona for Eagles vs. Cardinals this weekend with Phans of Philly, but we’ve still got you covered with everything Phillies.
Phillies Game 1 Lineup
What a terrible weekend to be a Cardinal.
Sportsbook Offers
