Phillies Flex Depth and Confidence in Stealing Game 1 in Atlanta — Again
The Philadelphia Phillies entered this year’s NLDS in much different shape than a year ago. In 2022, they were the gritty underdogs punching above their weight class until they connected with a haymaker in Game 1 of the Division Series at Truist Park. Seven different pitchers did just enough to edge the Phillies past the Braves and begin changing how the Phillies were viewed.
On another Saturday night under the Atlanta lights, Craig Kimbrel trotted out as pitcher No. 7 to secure the final three outs in another stunning Game 1 Phillies victory over the powerful Braves. Atlanta once again flexes a reputation entering the best-of-five with their divisional rivals. A year ago, they were the defending World Champions with a lopsided advantage in experience. Those edges may no longer be present, but these Braves still view themselves as the standard, and deservedly so. They won 104 games with a record-breaking offense and a plethora of nasty pitchers.
This Phillies victory wasn’t stunning because it happened. Everyone acknowledges the regular season wins gap doesn’t reflect the true difference between these NL East powerhouses. Philadelphia winning was one thing. Handing the Braves their first home shutout loss of the entire season? That’s something else.
But even before Kimbrel authored a stress-free 12-pitch ninth inning, it felt like the 43,000-plus at Truist Park had accepted their fate. The Braves had gotten their chances. They loaded the bases in the fourth inning. They put runners on the corners with one out in the fifth. A year ago, the Braves went 2-9 with runners in scoring position and left nine on base in a 7-6 defeat. Against a Phillies bullpen bolstered to navigate big games like this, they stranded seven and were 0-5 hitting with runners in scoring position. This Braves team is bigger and better than last year’s 101-win bulldozer in nearly every way. The Phillies still were able to take them down.
The Braves had a slugging percentage over 100 points lower on pitches at 97-mph-plus than not in the regular season. The average fastball velocity of the first four Phillies relievers to trot out of the bullpen met or exceeded that threshold. It’s part of why Rob Thomson decided before the game the hook for Ranger Suárez would be short. It’s not that the Phillies manager didn’t trust Suárez, whose calmness propelled him to a 1.23 ERA in last year’s postseason. But the best road to navigating 27 outs meant changing looks and relying on the best stuff the Phillies could fire against a Braves lineup full of world-beaters.
Two years ago, the Phillies bullpen tied a Major League record with 34 blown saves. The year prior, their 7.06 ERA was the second-highest in the sport’s last 90 years. In save situation territory on Saturday, rookie Orion Kerkering came in for seventh. Matt Strahm, who pitched in the eighth inning or later in 35% of his regular season relief appearances, took the ball after Kerkering after a lead-off walk to start the eighth. Austin Riley singled to amplify the pressure. It would be Atlanta’s final big threat of the night.
Each time they had to, the Phillies pitchers executed when they had to. It’s not just a bullpen with all gas and no brakes. Jeff Hoffman walked the batter he was brought in for to finish the fourth (Marcell Ozuna). Then, he struck out Michael Harris II with a handedness disadvantage on a nasty splitter. Seranthony Domínguez, who struggled to like the dominant force he was last October all season, punched out Ronald Acuña Jr. and Riley with 98-mph heaters to escape the fifth.
All three batters to put the ball in play against Strahm did so with an exit velocity of over 100 mph. But after Riley’s single, Strahm jammed Matt Olson just enough to keep his towering fly ball in the yard. And the 103.4 mph rocket by Ozzie Albies somehow became a jaw-dropping double play thanks to a heroic lunge by Trea Turner, confirming to the home team that this just wasn’t their night.
The Phillies were not perfect. Spencer Strider flummoxed them for most of the night. The Phillies also stranded seven and were an only slightly superior 2-8 with RISP. But they stuck to their strengths. They challenged the Braves with high velocity and an aggressive mentality on the bases. They took advantage of one of Strider’s few weaknesses — he doesn’t hold runners on well. The Phillies’ steals didn’t lead to any runs directly. But an errant pick-off throw by Strider did — just like in his start against the Phillies in last year’s postseason.
The vibe around this Phillies group is different, but familiar. The Phillies may have been underdogs last year, but their internal confidence was always strong. Now, that belief is just more widespread. They defied the odds a year ago. Now, they are turning them in their favor with a roster full of players with the tools to thrive in high-pressure scenarios. That obviously turned out to be the case a year ago. But the Phillies had to prove they had it in them.
There’s no need for them to prove that anymore. That was true before they emerged from a heavyweight bought with the best the Braves have to offer and put themselves in position for success. Last year’s Game 1 win came with a chaos disclaimer. The Phillies won, which was significant, but questions about their stability remained. This time around, there is no doubting what the Phillies have. It is scary. It is dangerous.
The Phillies may not be at as big of a disadvantage in any other game this postseason, no matter how far they go. It didn’t matter. Nothing seems to phase these Phillies, masters of the moment, looking to start something special once again.
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