Sending the Braves Home

The Phillies might have finished 14 games behind the Braves in the NL East,  but they entered the post-season brimming with confidence.  Fresh off a two-game Wild Card series sweep of the Marlins, they were primed for a Division Series rematch with Atlanta.  And just like 2022, the Phillies prevailed in four games, clinching last night in a tension-packed 3-1 victory.
The standout performances begin with Nick Casetellanos, who made history -- the first player ever with two homers in back-to-back post-season games.  Schmidt never did it, neither did Ruth or Mantle or Reggie.  (And hat tip to Matt Gelb of The Athletic: over the course of the series, Castellanos outhomered the entire Braves roster!)
The defensive moment belonged to the rookie center fielder Johan Rojas: a running catch at the jut-out of the center field wall, robbing Ronald Acuna Junior with the bases loaded in the 7th inning to snuff out a bases-loading threat.  Remember that famous quote by broadcaster Ralph Kiner: “Two-thirds of the Earth is covered by water. The other third is covered by Garry Maddox.”  Looks like Rojas has comfortable taken over Maddox's lease for that "other" third.

The last three outs -- with runners on the corners -- came from an unexpected source.  Matt Strahm normally worked the middle innings after starting the year as a fill-in starter.   But after Gregory Soto put the first two batters on base, Strahm was Rob Thomson's choice -- and he worked his way out of trouble, getting Kevin Pillar on a pop up, Eddie Rosario with a short fly ball... then striking out Vaughn Grissom for the final out and a showdown with the Diamondbacks in the NLCS.

My images:
  • Nick Castellanos, from the 2022 NLCS at Citizens Bank Park
  • Johan Rojas, from the Phillies/Twins game on August 11th.
  • Matt Strahm. from the Phillies/Yankees game in New York on April 4th.

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