It’s clear Matt Strahm was tipping pitches in Phillies’ brutal Game 1 loss to the Dodgers

The Phillies unceremoniously blew a 3-0 lead to the Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLDS, and it appears the final nail in the coffin was reliever Matt Strahm tipping pitches. Usually, when a pitcher tips, it’s a subtle tell that eagle-eyed batters can detect.

Strahm, however, was anything but subtle.

Matt Strahm showed the runner on second literally everything he needed to see, immediately leading to Teoscar Hernandez hitting a three-run shot to take the lead:

Matt Strahm tipping pitches? Watch Pages’ right arm. Was he telling Teoscar Hernandez fastball was coming? Same thing as Judge the other day. #RedOctober pic.twitter.com/BMSYzo5pHU

— Boston (@BallByBoston) October 5, 2025

Of course, the Dodgers would never let go of the lead. This is not the start to Red October that anyone in Philadelphia was hoping for.

You may recall Jesús Luzardo and the recently traded Mick Abel tipping pitches this season, but seeing it from Strahm in a do-or-die situation is absolutely mindboggling. It’s been a talking point all season long, which makes it all the more sickening when it happens in the postseason.

Don’t get me wrong, there was a lot that went wrong in this game for the Phillies. Kyle Schwarber’s at-bats made him look like a toddler who just got a new lightsaber for Christmas. Trea Turner and Bryce Harper were just as bad. And then there’s Topper leaving Sanchez in too long and essentially gifting the Dodgers a lifeline.

I’d take this time to shit on Castellanos for being a dud at the plate, but he only came in because Bader got hurt, so I’ll sort of let it slide. I’m a decent guy, what can I say?

But Matt, buddy, what the actual fuck am I looking at here? You’re showing Pages your pitches like a stripper showing her ass to a high roller. He saw every god damn inch of the goods.

The Phillies are now 2-8 in the postseason since Game 2 of the 2023 NLCS. Needless to say, this is not exactly a sign that will change for the better, especially if things like this keep happening.

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