World Series Game 3 - Postponed due to Rain

Doug and I made the 19 mile drive to Citizens Bank Park on Monday afternoon, with the forecast ominous and little hope of seeing actual World Series baseball.  Before the postponement of the game, we purchased several World Series souvenirs, had our standard fare from Bull's BBQ and waited for an announcement under cover above Boardwalk Eats.  First seeing news of the postponement on Twitter, we quickly exited the ballpark and we were home well in advance of the scheduled 8:03 start time.  Doug was bummed to have completely missed Halloween AND a Phillies game, but we'll try it again on Tuesday night.

Astros at Phillies: October 31st to November 2nd

2022 Chachi Fan Favorites #35

2022 Chachi Fan Favorites #36

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 8:03
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark:  The Fall Classic returns to Citizens Bank Park on Monday night for the first time since 2009.

Astros 1-1
Defeated Yankees in ALCS, 4-0

Astros Probables
Lance McCullers Jr. (0-0, 2.45)
Cristian Javier (1-0, 1.35)
TBD

Astros Postseason Leaders
Average:  Yuli Gurriel - .342
Runs:  Jeremy Pena - 9
Home Runs:  Three tied with - 3
RBIs:  Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman - 9
Stolen Bases:  Three tied with - 1

Wins:  Hector Neris and Framber Valdez - 2
ERA:  Framber Valdez - 1.42

Strikeouts:  Framber Valdez - 24
Saves:  Ryan Pressly - 4

Phillies 1-1
Defeated Padres in NLCS, 4-1

Phillies Probables
Noah Syndergaard (0-0, 1.69)
Ranger Suarez (1-0, 1.86)
TBD

Phillies Postseason Leaders
Average:  Bryce Harper - .392
Runs:  Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto - 11
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins - 5
RBIs:  Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins - 11
Stolen Bases:  Kyle Schwarber - 3

Wins:  Three tied with - 2
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 2.67

Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 28
Saves:  Five tied with - 1

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World Series Game 2 - Phils Fall Short in Houston

Astros 5, Phillies 2
World Series Game 2 - Saturday Night, October 29th in Houston
Series tied, 1-1

One Sentence Summary:  Zack Wheeler didn't have it, and the Phillies offense couldn't capitalize on a few late innings scoring opportunities as the Astros took Game 2 of the World Series, 5-2.

What It Means:  It means the series returns to Philadelphia on Monday night all tied up at one.  We watched very little of this game as Doug was competing with his baseball team in the Big Show Halloween Battle in Leesport, Pennsylvania.  It was a freezing cold night with neither Doug's team or the Phillies coming away with the desired outcome.

What Happened / Featured Card:  Four pitches into Wheeler's night, the Astros had three doubles from Jose Altuve, Jeremy Pena and Yordan Alvarez, and led, 2-0.  A third run (unearned) would score when Edmundo Sosa threw a ball low to Rhys Hoskins, allowing Alvarez to score.  In the fifth, Alex Bregman hit a two-run home run to give the Astros a 5-0 lead.  Wheeler threw only 69 pitches in his five innings of work, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits and three walks.  The bullpen trio of Andrew Bellatti, Connor Brogdon and Brad Hand combined for three shutout innings.

The Phillies didn't score until the seventh when Nick Castellanos doubled to start the inning, went to third on an Alec Bohm ground out and scored on a Jean Segura sacrifice fly.  In the eighth, with Bryson Stott aboard with a walk, Kyle Schwarber hit what first appeared to be a moonshot home run to right, but replay review showed the ball going foul.  He'd fly out to right fielder Kyle Tucker on the warning track, just barely missing a two-run home run twice in the same at bat.  In the ninth, Bohm doubled and would come around to score on a Yuli Gurriel error.  The Phillies offense overall was 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position.

Following the game, the team flew back to Philadelphia where they'll be greeted by a raucous, standing-room only crowd on Halloween night for Game 3 of the World Series.

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2022 Chachi #83 World Series Game 1 / 2022 Chachi #85 World Series Game 3

World Series Game 1 - Realmuto, Bullpen Stun 'Stros

Phillies 6, Astros 5 (10 Innings)
World Series Game 1 - Friday Night, October 28th in Houston
Phillies lead series, 1-0

One Sentence Summary:  After spotting the Astros a 5-0 lead after three innings, the Phillies, bolstered by an amazingly dominant bullpen, battled back to win in extra-innings with J.T. Realmuto hitting the go-ahead and eventual game-winning home run.

What It Means:  I felt physical ill for most of this game, but it was all worth it.  We watched this game from the comfort of our living room, all four of us waving red rally towels as needed.  The Phillies in essence regain home field advantage with this win, and they'll attempt to head back to Citizens Bank Park with a 2-0 lead as Zack Wheeler takes the mound in Game 2 tonight.

What Happened / Featured Card:  Aaron Nola was hit early and often, with a combination of bloop hits and home runs from Kyle Tucker.  The Astros' right fielder hit two home runs off Nola, accounting for four of the Astros runs.  Nola yielded in the fifth, with one out, to Jose Alvarado who quickly mowed through three Astros batters in the fifth and start of the sixth.  Zach Eflin, Ranger Suarez, Seranthony Dominguez and finally, David Robertson, would follow, holding the Astros scoreless over the final 17 outs needed for the win.  Robertson walked a tight-rope in the 10th, allowing an Alex Bregman double, walking Yuli Gurriel, and then uncorking a wild pitch to put runners at second and third.  After hitting pinch-hitter Aledmys Diaz, who was called back to the plate as he had leaned into the pitch, Robertson got Diaz to ground out to third, giving the Phillies a crucial series opening win.

From the offensive side, the Phillies started chipping away at the deficit in the fourth against Astros' starter Justin Verlander.  With two outs, Nick Castellanos singled to left to score Rhys Hoskins.  Bohm then doubled home Bryce Harper and Castellanos to pull the Phillies to within two.  In the fifth, Realmuto delivered his first big hit of the night, doubling to left to tie the game at 5-5.  The Phillies offense had their chances over the next several innings, notably in the seventh when they loaded the bases with two outs.  But old friend Hector Neris emerged from the Astros bullpen to strike out Castellanos and end the threat.

Castellanos found redemption in the ninth, making a game-saving, diving catch in right and sending the game to extra innings.  In the top of the 10th, facing reliever Luis Garcia, Realmuto launched a 3-2 fastball just over the right field wall, giving the Phillies the lead.  It was the first extra-inning World Series home run by a catcher since Carlton Fisk's iconic Game 6 walk-off home run from 1975.

Transaction:  The Phillies set their World Series roster on Friday afternoon, adding Nick Maton (inf) and Nick Nelson (rhp), while removing Dalton Guthrie (of) and Bailey Falter (lhp).

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2022 Chachi #82 Bryce Harper HL - NLCS MVP / 2022 Chachi #84 World Series Game 2

Phillies at Astros: October 28th to October 29th

2022 Chachi Fan Favorites #32

2022 Chachi Fan Favorites #34

Friday and Saturday 8:03
Minute Maid Park - Houston, TX

At the Ballpark:  The Phillies are returning to the World Series for the first time since 2009, with the Astros coming to the Fall Classic for the fourth time since 2017.  Houston won it all in 2017 in seven games against the Dodgers, lost in seven games in 2019 to the Nationals and lost in six games in 2021 against the Braves.  Only the Dodgers with 111 had more regular season wins than the Astros who had 106.  Houston swept both the Mariners in the ALDS and the Yankees in the ALCS to advance to the World Series.

Phillies 87-75
Defeated Padres in NLCS, 4-1

Phillies Probables
Aaron Nola (2-1, 3.12)
Zack Wheeler (1-1, 1.78)

Phillies Postseason Leaders
Average:  Bryce Harper - .419
Runs:  Bryce Harper - 10
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins - 5
RBIs:  Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins - 11
Stolen Bases:  Kyle Schwarber - 2

Wins:  Brad Hand and Aaron Nola - 2
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 1.78

Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 25
Saves:  Four tied with - 1

Astros 106-56
Defeated Yankees in ALCS, 4-0

Astros Probables
Justin Verlander (1-0, 6.30)
Framber Valdez (1-0, 1.42)

Astros Postseason Leaders
Average:  Yuli Gurriel - .367
Runs:  Jeremy Pena - 7
Home Runs:  Jeremy Pena - 3
RBIs:  Yordan Alvarez - 8
Stolen Bases:  Yuli Gurriel and Kyle Tucker - 1

Wins:  Hector Neris - 2
ERA:  Framber Valdez - 1.42

Strikeouts:  Framber Valdez - 15
Saves:  Ryan Pressly - 4

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NLCS Game 5 - BEDLAM AT THE BANK, Phils are World Series Bound!

Phillies 4, Padres 3
NLCS Game 5 - Sunday Afternoon, October 23rd in Philadelphia
Phillies win series, 3-1

One Sentence Summary:  In a game Phillies fans will be reminiscing over for decades, Bryce Harper connected for a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth, giving his team the lead and helping propel them to the 2022 World Series.

What It Means:  It means so much.  This is surreal.  I, along with many other Phillies fans, had completely written this team off in September when they couldn't seem to do anything right.  We missed the first four innings of this game as Doug's travel baseball team was playing in a championship game in Delaware in a steady and cold rain.  His team lost and we quietly started the two-hour drive home, in a downpour, with the Phillies holding a slim 2-1 lead.  We listened as Seranthony Dominguez uncorked three wild pitches in the seventh allowing the Padres to take a 3-2 lead.  And we lost our minds just north of Wilmington on 495 when Harper hit his series clinching home run.  Other drivers on the highway who weren't listening to the game were probably terrified when they looked into our car.  We had crossed the Commodore Barry Bridge and were in Woolwich, New Jersey when Nick Castellanos caught the fly ball from Austin Nola, sending the Phillies back to the World Series for the first time since 2009.  It's crazy.  This team is wonderful.  Hard to believe, Harry.

What Happened / Featured Card:  Rhys Hoskins hit his fifth home run of the postseason in the third, giving the Phillies a 2-0 lead, and Juan Soto connected for a solo home run in the fourth off Phillies' starter Zack Wheeler.  Dominguez was wild in the seventh, giving up a game-tying double to Josh Bell after falling behind 3-1 and allowing Jake Cronenworth to move to second on a wild pitch.  Two more wild pitches gave the Padres a 3-2 lead, allowing pinch-runner Jose Azocar to score.

In the eighth, down to their last six outs and faced with a cross-country flight to San Diego for Monday night's Game 6, J.T. Realmuto singled to left to open the inning.  Harper then almost serenely sent a Robert Suarez pitch just barely over the left-center field wall, sending the 45,485 fans at Citizens Bank Park into an all-out frenzy.  Phillies' radio voice Scott Franzke described it as "Bedlam at the Bank."

In the top of the ninth, David Robertson struck out Will Myers but then issued back-to-back walks to Brandon Drury and Ha-Seong Kim.  Ranger Suarez entered the game, needing just two pitches for the final two outs.  As Castellanos squeezed his glove and Franzke made his call that the Phillies were World Series bound, our car erupted in cheers, screams and claps.  The Philadelphia Phillies are the 2022 National League Champions.

After unpacking the car and drying off, I watched all the highlights, post-game interviews and the awarding of the NLCS MVP trophy to Harper.  In a week's time, my family and I will be back at the ballpark, attending the 2022 World Series against the Astros as the Phillies try to win their third title in franchise history.

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2022 Chachi #79 NLCS Game 4 / 2022 Chachi #83 World Series Game 1

NLCS Game 4 - Hoskins Leads Fightin' Phils to Comeback Win

Phillies 10, Padres 6
NLCS Game 4 - Saturday Night, October 22nd in Philadelphia
Phillies lead series, 3-1

One Sentence Summary:  Down in the game by four runs before they batted, the Phillies earned their Fightin' nickname, with Rhys Hoskins blasting two crucial home runs in this 10-6 win.

What It Means:  Spending the day in Rehobeth Beach, Delaware at Doug's travel baseball tournament, we watched Doug's team play to a tie and win a game before watching most of this game with Doug's teammates and their parents at Lefty's Alley & Eats.  It was a wonderful and memorable day, with the Phillies now within a win of returning to the World Series.

What Happened / Featured Card:  Phillies' starting pitcher Bailey Falter only recorded two outs, but actually fared slightly better than Padres' starting pitcher Mike Clevinger who didn't retire a batter.  Falter was in trouble from the outset, allowing four runs overall, including a solo home run to Manny Machado and a two-run double to Brandon Drury.  Connor Brogdon restored some order, allowing an inherited run to score but then following up with two scoreless innings.  Brad Hand ironically got the win, even though he was the only Phillies reliever to give up any runs.  Andrew Bellatti, Noah Syndergaard, David Robertson and Zach Eflin combined for five scoreless innings of relief.

The Phillies offense never let up.  Hoskins hit his first home run in the first, following a Kyle Schwarber lead-off single, cutting the deficit to 4-2.  J.T. Realmuto walked and Bryce Harper doubled him home, quickly turning the momentum of the game.  Bryson Stott tied the game in the fourth with a single to left, scoring Nick Castellanos.  Juan Soto hit a two-run home run off Hand in the fifth, giving the Padres a temporary 6-4 lead.

In the team's four-run fifth, Hoskins hit his second two-run home run, tying the score and resulting in a memorable bat toss towards the dugout.  Harper doubled home Realmuto who had walked, and Castellanos singled home Harper giving the Phillies an 8-6 lead.  Solo home runs from Schwarber in the sixth and Realmuto in the seventh proved to be unnecessary but still fun to watch.

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2022 Chachi #78 NLCS Game 3 / 2022 Chachi #80 NLCS Game 5

NLCS Game 3 - Seranthony and Segura Star in Tense Win

Phillies 4, Padres 2
NLCS Game 3 - Friday Night, October 21st in Philadelphia
Phillies lead series, 2-1

One Sentence Summary:  Jean Segura went from goat to hero and Seranthony Dominguez recorded a six-out save to secure this 4-2 win and put the Phillies two more wins away from the World Series.

What It Means:  Dominguez joined Tug McGraw as the only two pitchers in franchise history to record six-out saves in a postseason game.  McGraw did it in the decisive Game 6 of the 1980 World Series, 42 years ago on this very day.

What Happened / Featured Card:  The Phillies jumped to a quick 1-0 lead when Kyle Schwarber homered to start the game, but the Padres rallied in the fourth when Segura dropped a likely double play relay, allowing the tying run to score.  He earned redemption in the bottom of the inning, singling home both Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott to give the Phillies a 3-1 lead.  (And then was promptly picked off first!)  The Padres crept closer when an RBI ground out from Ha-Seong Kim in the fifth, making it 3-2.  Bohm provided a much-needed insurance run with a huge RBI double in the sixth, scoring Nick Castellanos.

Ranger Suarez started and pitched five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on two his.  The bullpen trio of Zach Eflin, Jose Alvarado and Dominguez pitched the final four scoreless innings, allowing five hits but striking out five along the way.  Dominguez recorded the final out, striking out Austin Nola swinging, allowing all of Philadelphia to breath a sigh of relief.

Field Report:  I attended my first NLCS game since 2010 and Doug enjoyed his first ever NLCS game.  With a big baseball tournament planned for the weekend in Rehobeth Beach, this was the only game we were able to attend and we admittedly needed to leave early to ensure Doug got a good night's sleep.  But the place was electric.  We both bought $10 NLCS programs from the pop-up tent outside the ballpark, enjoyed a few Humpty's Dumplings from a food truck while waiting to enter, and made our way with over 45,000 other fans into the ballpark when gates opened at 5:07.  We heard an announcement that Matt Stairs and Charlie Manuel would be signing autographs on the rooftop deck until 6, and we quickly got in line, just before security cut the line off.  Unfortunately, Stairs and Manuel had to leave promptly at 6, and we were about 15 people away from securing our autographs.  We snagged a few pre-signed Stairs photo cards as consolation prizes.

After a quick bite from Bull's BBQ, we made our way to Section 113 where we rarely sat for the next seven innings.  We high-fived strangers, joined the Mus-grove, We Chose Harper and Aaron's Better chants and lost our collective minds when Segura delivered his big hit.  It was an experience neither of us will soon forget!

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2022 Chachi #77 NLCS Game 2 / 2022 Chachi #79 NLCS Game 4

Padres at Phillies: October 21st to October 23rd

2022 Chachi Fan Favorites #30

2022 Chachi Fan Favorites #31

Friday 7:37, Saturday 7:45 and Sunday 2:37
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark:  There will be red rally towels galore at the ballpark all weekend!

Padres 1-1
Defeated Dodgers in NLDS, 3-1

Padres Probables
Joe Musgrove (1-0, 1.38)
TBD
TBD

Padres Postseason Leaders
Average:  Austin Nola - .321
Runs:  Ha-Seong Kim - 8
Home Runs:  Trent Grisham and Manny Machado - 3
RBIs:  Manny Machado - 6
Stolen Bases:  Three tied with - 1

Wins:  Yu Darvish and Blake Snell - 2
ERA:  Joe Musgrove - 1.38

Strikeouts:  Yu Darvish - 18
Saves:  Josh Hader - 4

Phillies 1-1
Defeated Braves in NLDS, 3-1

Phillies Probables
Ranger Suarez (0-0, 2.70)
TBD
TBD

Phillies Postseason Leaders
Average:  Bryce Harper - .419
Runs:  Bryce Harper - 8
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper - 4
RBIs:  Bryce Harper - 7
Stolen Bases:  Kyle Schwarber and Jean Segura - 1

Wins:  Aaron Nola - 2
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 1.40

Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 18
Saves:  Jose Alvarado and Zach Eflin - 1

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NLCS Game 2 - Austin Bests Aaron in Nola Brother Battle

Padres 8, Phillies 5
NLCS Game 2 - Wednesday Afternoon, October 19th in San Diego
Series tied, 1-1

One Sentence Summary:  The wheels came off for Aaron Nola in a five-run fifth inning, as he and reliever Brad Hand were both hit hard in a game ultimately lost by the Phillies, 8-5.

What It Means:  The series returns to Philadelphia on Friday night for three games, with the Phillies just three wins away from the World Series.  Hard to believe, Harry.

What Happened / Featured Card:  The Phillies plated four runs in the second and then the offense took most of the rest of the night off.  Three straight singles started the inning from Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos and Alec Bohm, with Bohm's hit scoring Harper.  Matt Vierling then doubled to right with the ball being completely lost in the sun by Juan Soto, scoring Castellanos.  Edmundo Sosa dropped a single in front of left fielder Jurickson Profar with Bohm coming home.  Kyle Schwarber then plated Vierling with a ground out to first.  Other than a solo home run from Rhys Hoskins in the eighth, that was all the excitement in the game provided by the Phillies.

Nola allowed quick back-to-back home runs to Brandon Drury and Josh Bell to start the second inning.  With the score at 4-2, the nightmarish fifth began with a Ha-Seong Kim single, and he'd score on a single to left from Nola's brother Austin Nola, making it 4-3.  Following a Profar single, Soto doubled home Austin Nola to tie the score.  With Hand now pitching and two outs, he hit the first batter he faced and then singles followed by Drury and Bell to give the Padres a 7-4 lead.

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2022 Chachi #76 NLCS Game 1 / 2022 Chachi #78 NLCS Game 3

NLCS Game 1 - Wheeler Deals, Sluggers Slug

Phillies 2, Padres 0
NLCS Game 1 - Tuesday Night, October 18th in San Diego
Phillies lead series, 1-0

One Sentence Summary:  Zack Wheeler, supported by home runs from Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, combined with Seranthony Dominguez and Jose Alvarado to limit the Padres to just one hit in this series opening 2-0 victory.

What It Means:  The hope was to leave San Diego either up 2-0 or with a series split of 1-1, and this win sets up either scenario.

What Happened / Featured Card:  Wheeler was dominant, walking a batter, allowing a fifth inning single to Will Myers and striking out eight.  He was pulled after 83 pitches in favor of Dominguez, who needed just nine pitches to retire the side in the eighth.  Alvarado provided some drama, aided by an Alec Bohm throwing error, but he escaped the ninth getting Manny Machado to fly out to right and striking out Josh Bell swinging.

The only runs needed by the Phillies came via solo home runs.  Harper hit his in the fourth, his fourth home run of the post season.  Schwarber's was an absolute moon shot, traveling 488 feet and going down as furthest and hardest hit home run in Petco Park history.

Transaction:  David Robertson (rhp) was added to the active roster, deeming his calf strain playable, while Nick Nelson (rhp) was removed.  Nelson was active for the NLDS but did not appear in a game.

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2022 Chachi #75 Phils Wins NLDS HL / 2022 Chachi #77 NLCS Game 2

Phillies at Padres: October 18th to October 19th

2022 Chachi Fan Favorites #28

2022 Chachi Fan Favorites #29

Tuesday 8:03 and Wednesday 4:35
Petco Park - San Diego, CA

At the Ballpark:  The Phillies defeated the 101-win Braves in four games and the Padres stunned the 111-win Dodgers in four games to advance to the NLCS.  It's the first NLCS featuring two teams with less than 90 regular season wins.  The Phillies last appeared in the NLCS in 2010, with the Padres' last appearance coming in 1998.

Phillies 87-75
Defeated Braves in NLDS, 3-1

Phillies Probables
Zack Wheeler (0-1, 2.19)
Aaron Nola (2-0, 0.00)

Phillies Postseason Leaders
Average:  Bryce Harper - .435
Runs:  Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto - 6
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper - 3
RBIs:  Bryce Harper - 6
Stolen Bases:  Jean Segura - 1

Wins:  Aaron Nola - 2
ERA:  Aaron Nola - 0.00

Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 12
Saves:  Zach Eflin - 1

Padres 89-73
Defeated Dodgers in NLDS, 3-1

Padres Probables
Yu Darvish (2-0, 3.00)
Blake Snell (1-0, 3.12)

Padres Postseason Leaders
Average:  Trent Grisham - .381
Runs:  Trent Grisham and Ha-Seong Kim - 7
Home Runs:  Trent Grisham - 3
RBIs:  Four tied with - 5
Stolen Bases:  Three tied with - 1

Wins:  Yu Darvish - 2
ERA:  Joe Musgrove - 1.38

Strikeouts:  Joe Musgrove - 13
Saves:  Josh Hader - 3

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NLDS Game 4 - Phils Shock Braves, Advance to NLCS

Phillies 8, Braves 3
NLDS Game 4 - Saturday Afternoon, October 15th in Philadelphia
Phillies win series, 3-1

One Sentence Summary:  Behind the stabilizing force of a bullpen game (!), a three-run home run from Brandon Marsh and a seemingly relentless offense, the Phillies stunned the Braves and the baseball world by easily defeating the defending World Champions and advancing the the League Championship Series.

What It Means:  Writing this on Sunday evening, I'm still not sure this has all sunk in.  The Phillies, who were swept by the Cubs on September 29th, prompting me to use "Collapse Seems Imminent" as a game summary headline, are advancing to the NLCS to face off against the Padres beginning on Tuesday night.  It's surreal.

What Happened / Featured Card:  A bullpen game!  The Braves managed four hits, three of which were harmless solo home runs.  Noah Syndergaard, Andrew Bellatti, Brad Hand, Jose Alvarado, Zach Eflin and Seranthony Dominguez combined to strike out 15 and walk none.  Hard to believe.

Alec Bohm led off the second by lining a single off the elbow of Braves' starter Charlie Morton.  Jean Segura singled next, setting up Marsh for his three-run home run to right center field.  An inning later, J.T. Realmuto would become the first catcher to hit an inside-the-park home run in the postseason, circling the bases and aided by right fielder Ronald Acuna, who never ran towards center to try to corral the ball.  In the sixth, and to provide insurance runs that proved to be unneeded, Rhys Hoskins, Realmuto and Bryce Harper delivered three straight singles to make it a 7-2 ballgame.  Harper added an exclamation point with a solo home run in the eighth, his second of the postseason.

In the top of the ninth, with no one sitting in the entire ballpark, Dominguez struck out the side (Dansby Swanson, Matt Olson and Travis d'Arnaud) on 20 pitches to send the Phillies back to the NLCS for the first time since 2010. 

Field Report:  Doug and I rushed from his morning baseball game to get to Citizens Bank Park about an hour before first pitch.  We enjoyed a lunch from Bull's, settled into our seats, and joined nearly 46,000 other fans in hanging on every pitch thrown, from Pat Burrell's cermonial first pitch to the 99.7 mph sinker thrown by Dominguez to end the game.  We waved our red rally towels, cheered Marsh and Realmuto and Alvarado, jeered the Braves, and stayed about an hour after the last out was recorded just to take it all in.  We had seats towards the back of Section 113, while my brother-in-law and his wife were seated closer to the field.  We all met up after the game, collectively in shock by what we had just experienced.

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2022 Chachi #73 NLDS Game 3 / 2022 Chachi #76 NLCS Game 1

NLDS Game 3 - PHILS WIN, Ballpark Nearly Explodes

Phillies 9, Braves 1
NLDS Game 3 - Friday Afternoon, October 14th in Philadelphia
Phillies lead series, 2-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies, elevated by an absolutely electric crowd at Citizens Bank Park, decisively beat the Braves behind the pitching of Aaron Nola and home runs from Rhys Hoskins and Bryce Harper.

What It Means:  A win on Saturday afternoon sends the Phillies to the NLCS to face either the Dodgers or the Padres, who are currently up 2-1 in that NLDS series.

What Happened / Featured Card:  Nola was brilliant again, allowing just an unearned run in six strong innings and striking out six.  Jose Alvarado, Brad Hand and Connor Brogdon shut the Braves down over the final three innings.

The tide turned in the bottom of the third inning.  Brandon Marsh drew a lead-off walk and went to third base on an errant pick-off throw from Braves starter Spencer Strider.  Bryson Stott doubled to right to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead.  After Kyle Schwarber was intentionally walked, Hoskins launched his three-run home run, spiking his bat afterwards and forming a Phillies memory and iconic moment that won't soon be forgotten.  J.T. Realmuto quickly followed with a single and then Harper homered to center on the first pitch he saw to give the Phillies a 6-0 lead.

Three more runs were added in the seventh behind Harper's RBI double and Nick Castellanos' two-run single to right.  It was glorious.  Unless there's a more exciting and dramatic game yet to come in this postseason, and I hope there will be, this will be the game we're seeing years to come replayed during the winter months and Phillies rain delays.

Field Report:  And we were there!  Before returning to our section of many, many years, Section 315, we took part in the pregame block party, bought some postseason merchandise and enjoyed some heavy snacks at Pass and Stow's.  From the pregame ceremony featuring team introductions and a Shane Victorio ceremonial first pitch, to the final out, the atmosphere was electric and I can confirm I don't think I've ever heard the ballpark that loud before.  We waved our red rally towels, appeared on Phanavision and lost our voices.  It took nearly an hour to escape the parking lot postgame, but it was worth every minute of it.  I'm grateful our boys were able to witness Phillies postseason baseball and experience what being a part of a truly wonderful fanbase feels like.  And I was thinking of my Dad, who passed away 11 years ago on this day.  He would have loved the outcome, but would have been fine skipping the crowds and the traffic.  Go Phils!

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2022 Chachi #72 NLDS Game 2 / 2022 Chachi #74 NLDS Game 4

Braves at Phillies: October 14th to October 15th

2022 Chachi Fan Favorites #26

2022 Chachi Fan Favorites #27

Friday 4:37 and Saturday 2:07
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark:  These two teams split the series in Atlanta, and the NLDS is tied up at 1-1.  All fans will receive a red Phillies rally towel upon entering the ballpark and pregame, on-field ceremonies should begin around 4pm on Friday.  Shane Victorino will be on hand to throw out the first pitch on Friday, as the Phillies hope to retake the series lead.

Braves 101-61
National League East Champions

Braves Probables
Spencer Strider (0-0, 0.00)
Charlie Morton (0-0, 0.00)

Braves Postseason Leaders
Average:  Ronald Acuna - .571
Runs:  Matt Olson - 3
Home Runs:  Travis d'Arnaud and Matt Olson - 1
RBIs:  Travis d'Arnaud and Matt Olson - 4
Stolen Bases:  N/A

Wins:  Kyle Wright - 1
ERA:  Kyle Wright - 0.00
Strikeouts:  Kyle Wright - 6
Saves:  Kenley Jansen - 1

Phillies 87-75
Defeated Cardinals in NLWCS, 2-0

Phillies Probables
Aaron Nola (1-0, 0.00)
TBD

Phillies Postseason Leaders
Average:  Bryce Harper - .429
Runs:  Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto - 3
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper - 1
RBIs:  Three tied with - 3
Stolen Bases:  N/A

Wins:  Three tied with - 1
ERA:  Aaron Nola - 0.00

Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 9
Saves:  Zach Eflin - 1

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NLDS Game 2 - Costly Sixth Inning Sinks Phils

Braves 3, Phillies 0
NLDS Game 2 - Wednesday Night, October 12th in Atlanta
Series tied, 1-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies offense managed three hits and the Braves took advantage of a few miscues in a three-run sixth inning to take Game 2 of the NLDS.

What It Means:  After 16 days on the road, the Phillies return home for Friday night's Game 3 with the NLDS tied at one game a piece.  They'll try to retake the series lead with Aaron Nola on the mound.

What Happened / Featured Card:  An almost three-hour rain delayed start changed this from a late afternoon matinee to a full-on night game.  The Phillies were shut down by Kyle Wright and three relievers, with Kenley Jansen pitching an easy ninth inning for the save.  The hits were few and far between with Bryce Harper doubling to lead off the second, J.T. Realmuto singling in the fourth and Jean Segura singling in the eighth.  Rhys Hoskins is 1 for 18 so far in the postseason, while Kyle Schwarber is 0 for 16 with eight strikeouts.

Zack Wheeler was pitching a gem through five innings, allowing only one hit.  In the bottom of the sixth, and with two outs, he hit Ronald Acuna, Jr. on the elbow and walked Dansby Swanson on a few close pitches.  Matt Olson then "singled" to right on a ball that should have been handled by Hoskins at first, giving the Braves a 1-0 lead.  Two more runs followed on a softly hit comebacker to the third base side of the mound by Austin Riley and a single up the middle from Travis d'Arnaud.  The 3-0 deficit proved too much for the Phillies to overcome.

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2022 Chachi #71 NLDS Game 1 / 2022 Chachi #73 NLDS Game 3

NLDS Game 1 - Castellanos, Seranthony Star in Opening Win

Phillies 7, Braves 6
NLDS Game 1 - Tuesday Afternoon, October 11th in Atlanta
Phillies lead series, 1-0

One Sentence Summary:  Nick Castellanos starred with his bat and glove, while Seranthony Dominguez pitched two shutout innings of relief in this nerve-wracking 7-6 series opening win against the Braves.

What It Means:  This win was huge.  With Zack Wheeler on the mound for Wednesday afternoon's game, the Phillies now have a great chance of bringing the series back to Philadelphia on Friday up 2-0.

What Happened / Featured Card:  The Phillies scored early and often against Braves' starter Max Fried, and they did it with singles and some small ball.  Castellanos and Alec Bohm drove home the first two runs with RBI singles in the first.  An Alec Bohm sacrifice fly and a Jean Segura RBI-single made it 4-1 in the third.  Castellanos singled home two more runs in the fourth with Edmundo Sosa adding the Phillies' seventh run with a sacrifice fly in the fifth.  The offense benefitted from a pair of sacrifice bunts (from Bryce Harper and Matt Vierling) along with the two sacrifice flies from Bohm and Sosa.  Castellanos and Harper each had three hits.

Ranger Suarez didn't have it, although he managed to wiggle out of bases loaded jams in both the first and third innings.  He departed after just 3 1/3 innings, having allowed three hits, a run and an uncharacteristic five walks.  Dominguez inherited a 7-2 lead in the sixth, and he mowed down the Braves' heart of the order with two perfect innings, including three strikeouts.  Jose Alvarado did his thing in the eighth, and new closer Zach Eflin once again made it interesting in the ninth.

Eflin allowed a three-run home run to Matt Olson to bring the Braves to within a run.  With one out, Castellnaos made a diving catch of a line drive hit by William Contreras to preserve the lead.  Travis d'Arnaud then grounded out to shortstop Sosa to end the game and give the Phillies an early series lead.

Transactions:  There were a few notable moves before this game.  On Monday's off-day, Rob Thomson had the interim title removed as the Phillies announced they had signed the popular manager to a two-year contract.  With the team reaching the playoffs, and Thomson guiding them to a 64-46 record after the firing of Joe Girardi, there was no way he wasn't coming back in 2023.

For the team's NLDS roster, Nick Nelson (rhp) and Dalton Guthrie (of) were added, replacing David Robertson (rhp) and Nick Maton (inf-of).  Robertson, a big part of the Phillies' bullpen, strained his right calf when he jumped up to celebrate Bryce Harper's home run in NLWCS Game 2 against the Cardinals.

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2022 Chachi #70 NLWCS Game 2 / 2022 Chachi #72 NLDS Game 2

Phillies at Braves: October 11th to October 12th

2022 Chachi Fan Favorites #24

2022 Chachi Fan Favorites #25

Tuesday 1:07 and Wednesday 4:35
Truist Park - Atlanta, GA

At the Ballpark:  This will be the first postseason match-up for these two teams since October 1993 when the Phillies defeated the Braves in six games in the NLCS.  The Phillies took two out of three games played in that series in Atlanta, setting the stage for a win at home in Game 6 and sending the team to the World Series against the Blue Jays.

Phillies 87-75
Defeated Cardinals in NLWCS, 2-0

Phillies Probables
Ranger Suarez (10-7, 3.65)
Zack Wheeler (12-7, 2.82)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Alec Bohm - .280
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 100
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 46
RBIs:  Kyle Schwarber - 94
Stolen Bases:  J.T. Realmuto - 21

Wins:  Zack Wheeler - 12
ERA:  Aaron Nola - 3.25

Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 235
Saves:  Corey Knebel - 12

Braves 101-61
National League East Champions

Braves Probables
Max Fried (14-7, 2.48)
Kyle Wright (21-5, 3.19)

Braves Leaders
Average:  Dansby Swanson - .280
Runs:  Dansby Swanson - 93
Home Runs:  Austin Riley - 37
RBIs:  Matt Olson - 92
Stolen Bases:  Ronald Acuna - 28

Wins:  Kyle Wright - 19
ERA:  Max Fried - 2.52

Strikeouts:  Spencer Strider - 202
Saves:  Kenley Jansen - 36

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NLWCS Game 2 - Nola, Harper, Bullpen Lead Phils to NLDS Berth

Phillies 2, Cardinals 0
NLWCS Game 2 - Saturday Night, October 8th in St. Louis
Phillies win series, 2-0

One Sentence Summary:  Behind the brilliant pitching of Aaron Nola and three Phillies relievers, a moonshot home run from Bryce Harper and a sacrifice fly from Kyle Schwarber, the Phillies defeated the Cardinals, 2-0, and move on to face the Braves in the NLDS.

What It Means:  This was stressful!  But ultimately rewarding and exhilarating.  I got to watch the end of this game with my two sons and we may have awakened the neighbors when the final out was recorded.  

What Happened / Featured Card:  Nola picked up where Zack Wheeler had left off, pitching 6 2/3 shutout innings, allowing four hits and striking out six.  Jose Alvarado, Seranthony Dominguez and Zach Eflin recorded the final seven pressure-packed outs.  Dominguez convincingly struck out Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado in the eighth to erase a minor threat from the Cardinals.  Eflin allowed a few hits in the ninth and with runners at the corners and two outs, Tommy Edman popped out to third baseman Edmundo Sosa in foul territory to begin the second post-game celebration this week.

Harper launched his home run to right off Cardinals' starter Miles Mikolas on the first pitch of the second inning.  The only other run came in the fifth when Schwarber flew out to right to score Alec Bohm.  The Phillies had trouble pushing across runs, but the Cardinals fared worse, going 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position.

And now it's off to Atlanta to face the N.L. East division winners in a best of five series, beginning Tuesday.

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2022 Chachi #69 NLWCS Game 1 / 2022 Chachi #71 NLDS Game 1

NLWCS Game 1 - Phils Stun Cardinals with 9th Inning Comeback

Phillies 6, Cardinals 3
NLWCS Game 1 - Friday Afternoon, October 7th in St. Louis
Phillies lead series, 1-0

One Sentence Summary:  In one of the more remarkable comebacks in postseason history, the Phillies plated six runs in the top of the ninth inning in St. Louis, stunning the Cardinals and taking Game One of this Wild Card Series by a score of 6-3.

What It Means:  Aaron Nola and the Phillies will try to clinch the series on Saturday night.  It was the first Phillies postseason win since Game 3 of the 2011 NLDS against the Cardinals, also in St. Louis.  Ben Francisco hit a pinch-hit three-run home run in that game to send the Phillies to a 3-2 win.

What Happened / Featured Card:  It was an uneventful first eight innings for the Phillies.  Zack Wheeler did his job, pitching 6 1/3 shutout innings and allowing just a pair of hits.  He yielded to Jose Alvarado in the seventh, with Alvarado walking Dylan Carlson and then giving up a two-run, pinch-hit home run to Juan Yepez.  The Cardinals held that 2-0 lead through 8 1/3 innings, with the Phillies managing only two hits up to that point.

With Cardinals' All-Star closer Ryan Helsely on the mound, and with one down, J.T. Realmuto singled, and then Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos both walked to load the bases.  Alec Bohm was drilled on the shoulder with a Helsely pitch to bring home the first Phillies run of the postseason.  With Edmundo Sosa now pinch-running for Bohm, Jean Segura golfed a two-run singled past a diving second baseman to score two runs and give the Phillies an improbable 3-2 lead.  Sosa lengthened the lead, sliding under the tag at home after Bryson Stott grounded into a fielder's choice to first.  Brandon Marsh singled home Segura and Kyle Schwarber hit a sacrifice fly to score Stott and give the Phillies a 6-2 lead.  Zach Eflin, the newly appointed closer, allowed a Cardinals run in the bottom of the ninth before striking out Yadier Molina to end the game.

Hard to believe, Harry.

Transactions:  There were a few surprises as the Phillies finalized their Wild Card Series roster on Friday morning.  Sosa (inf) and Brad Hand (lhp) were activated from the injured list.  Nick Nelson (rhp), Darick Hall (1b), Dalton Guthrie (inf) and Michael Plassmeyer (lhp) were all reassigned to the minor leagues.

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2022 Chachi #68 Phils Clinch Wild Card HL / 2022 Chachi #70 Wild Card Game 2