Nick Castellanos could care less about the Atlanta Braves and their struggles managing first-round bye in the postseason

With the Phillies earning a first-round bye in the postseason, they’re stepping into unfamiliar territory. Thanks to MLB’s new playoff format, now in its third year, the top two seeds in each league automatically advance to the Division Series, bypassing the Wild Card Series (NLWCS).

As a result, the Phillies will have from Monday to Friday off, with no games until their NLDS matchup begins.

While the bye offers rest, it’s been a topic of debate around the league. Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos recently shared his thoughts on the matter during an appearance on Foul Territory:

“I think it can be a beautiful thing if we use it the right way,” Castellanos said. “The downtime could probably be good for a lot of our bodies with the grind of 162 [games] that we just finished.”

However, he acknowledged that staying sharp mentally will be key. “We have a responsibility to figure out ways to stay mentally sharp so it’s not like we’re knocking the rust off the first game.”

The Phillies have fared well in the NLWCS the past two seasons, advancing to the NLDS and upsetting the Braves in both years — the same Braves team that had been resting with a bye.

Braves manager Brian Snitker has been vocal about his distaste for the new format, especially the extended break, among other things to do with his Braves team losing two consecutive years in the NLDS to the Phillies.

"A number of Phillies took offense. They believe Snitker was making excuses and demeaning their back-to-back triumphs as a Wild Card over the Braves in the DS."@Ken_Rosenthal talks about how the Phillies felt about the comments made in the spring by the Braves manager pic.twitter.com/F8DbUmap2s

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 20, 2024

“I don’t like the system, quite honestly,” Snitker said during Spring Training. “It’s hard to hit velocity when you haven’t seen anything in five days.”

While some Phillies reportedly didn’t appreciate Snitker’s comments, Nick Castellanos brushed off the remarks: “As for what the Braves said? I don’t really care.”

Nick Castellanos doesn’t care about anything the Atlanta Braves said:

As the Phillies prepare for their NLDS, the key will be making the most of their break while staying locked in. It’s a balancing act — rest vs. rust — and how they manage this downtime could determine whether they maintain the momentum that led them to their 95-win season.

Phillies end regular season with 95 wins – sixth most in franchise history >>

Join The Chase