Shoutout Matt Strahm, who finally brought toughness to the Phillies’ pitching staff by throwing at Gavin Lux following Nick Castellanos HBP

Shoutout Matt Strahm. In the top of the eighth inning of last night’s game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers, Nick Castellanos got hit by a pitch from Michael Grove, which sparked an intense stare down and words exchanged between the two players.

The very next inning, Matt Strahm delivered a 94mph high and tight fastball to Gavin Lux, plunking him in the shoulder. Matt Stahm knew what he was doing, Castellanos watched closely from the outfield, and the Phillies pitching staff delivered the exact message they intended.

Michael Grove hit Nick Castellanos with a 97 mph pitch

Matt Strahm hit Gavin Lux with a 94 mph pitch

FINALLY.

I have literally been BEGGING the Phillies’ pitching staff to throw at someone in response to whatever antics the opposing team tries to pull on them.

Whether it’s dancing around the base paths or a pitcher hitting one of the guys in the Phillies’ lineup, I’m constantly asking for retaliation and it literally never happens.

If Tyler Phillips is really #fromhere then he better put a fastball into the back of Robles next ab. Unacceptable

— Drew Smith (@drewmsmith) August 3, 2024

Jazz Chisholm needs one on the numbers for euro stepping across home. https://t.co/BmUXqyIOXh

— Drew Smith (@drewmsmith) July 31, 2024

I was both shocked and amazed that Matt Strahm answered the call but the entire ordeal had me wondering when the last time something like that happened.

The only one I can think of is when Cole Hamels pegged then-rookie Bryce Harper, giving him the always-classic “Welcome to the Show” treatment.

Hit the comment section and let me know if I’m missing any in between Hamels and Strahm because I’m genuinely curious.

The Phillies and Dodgers won’t play each other again until October, assuming the Dodgers finally get out of the first round of the playoffs – which as we all know, tends to be a tough task for a team that is widely considered to be “regular season heroes”.

I would however, welcome an NLCS matchup between the two best teams in the National League and adding a little spice to the matchup would make it all that sweeter.

The Phillies absolutely destroyed the Dodgers last night. Kyle Schwarber put together a career-performance, going 4-4 from the dish with three home runs and seven RBI and the team increased their lead in the National League over the Dodgers to 2.5 games and are back to a 7.5 game lead over the Atlanta Braves in the East.

Not to be forgotten, after a month-long slump, the Phillies also hold the best record in all of Major League Baseball yet again, with a half-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles at 68-46 on the season.

Tell you what, the city of Philadelphia as a whole is on an absolute heater right now. Joel Embiid is dominating in the Olympics, Jalen Hurts is body bagging reporters, Kyle Schwarber is mashing three homers in a single game, and Matt Strahm FINALLY put some respect and toughness into the Phillies pitching staff.

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