RING IT: Phillies destroy the Miami Marlins 7-1 to advance to the NLDS for the second straight season

The Philadelphia Phillies made light work of the Miami Marlins in the NL Wild Card Series, winning two straight to advance to the NLDS against another division foe in the Atlanta Braves.

Last night, The Fightins dominated the Fish, winning the series-clinching game 7-1 courtesy of Aaron Nola and two massive home runs from JT Realmuto and Bryson Stott.

After all of the concerns about Aaron Nola heading into the postseason, he answered the call with an absolute masterclass last night at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies No. 2 pitcher dazzled through seven innings of work, allowing just three hits, zero earned runs, and a walk while striking out three.

Go Figure: Aaron Nola has dominated in 4-Straight “Clinchers” over the past 2 years.

• 27.0 Innings Pitched
• 1 ER
• 0.33 ERA

Cristian Pache, Kyle Schwarber Set the Tone

In the bottom of the third inning, Kyle Schwarber hit a double to right fielder Jesus Sanchez that scored Cristian Pache all the way from first base. 

PHILLIES STRIKE FIRST.

SCHWARBER DOUBLE 🔔 #RedOctober | #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/Rc7CPpQR65

— The Liberty Line (@LibertyLinePHL) October 5, 2023

Trea Turner followed with a hard hit baseball that deflected off Marlins’ starter Braxton Garrett and found it’s way into right field that scored Kyle Schwarber from second to put the Phillies up 2-0 in the ball game. 

In the bottom of the fourth inning, JT Realmuto stepped up to the plate and extended the Phillies lead to 3-0, crushing a home run to left field, sending Citizens Bank Park into an absolute frenzy. 

JT Realmuto Home Run

I have been saying ALL SEASON LONG that JT Realmuto finding his swing in the postseason would rid him of all sins after a disappointing regular season. The road was never an issue for JT but his numbers at home were absolutely terrible.

REGULAR SEASON HOME/AWAY SPLITS: 

• JT Realmuto (Home): .198 BA, 6 HR, 33 RBI
• JT Realmuto (Away): .306, 14 HR, 30 RBI

JT REALMUTO VS MARLINS (WILD CARD)

In the two game series against the Marlins, JT Realmuto at Citizens Bank Park, went 3-for-8 with a double home run, and an RBI while scoring two runs. 

The Best Catcher in Baseball is back. 

Bryson Stott Grand Slam

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Bryson Stott stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and opened the flood gates, crushing a GRAND SLAM to right center field to put the Phillies up 7-0 and ultimately, ending the Miami Marlins postseason. 

Stott’s grand slam was the first of his career and also the first of his postseason career. It was the second playoff grand slam in franchise history as he joined Shane Victorino who smashed one of Milwaukee Brewers pitcher CC Sabathia in Game 2 of the 2008 NLDS. 

Stott rising to the occasion was impressive. Entering last night, he had only hit one home run over his past 28 games and batted just .181 in the month of September. Stott even gave everyone watching a flashback to the Rhys Hoskins bat slam from last year’s bomb off Spencer Strider in the NLDS.

There are so many incredible angles of the Bryson Stott home run which we put in its own post.

Yes, it was really that amazing. Check it out here.

The Miami Marlins Were Who We Thought They Were

I was very clear that the Miami Marlins were not a good baseball team. They had ZERO postseason experience and had to travel to the MECCA OF POSTSEASON BASEBALL and play the Philadelphia Phillies, who finished the regular season on a high note. 

This was never a series. It was never supposed to be a series. The Philadelphia Phillies AND their fans present the most terrifying team to face in the postseason. 

We have been on a collision course with the Atlanta Braves for weeks. Now, we will finally get what we were asking for. The Fightins will face the Braves in the NLDS and just like last year, the first two games will be in Atlanta. 

Steal one in the ATL and take the series back home to Citizens Bank Park. Plenty more coming on the NLDS. We’ll keep you posted. 

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