Earlier this week I wrote about why I love this 2022. Phillies team. And I continue to find more reasons I love this team as they continue their magical run.
Everyone Gets a Turn:
One reason this team has been so successful is that different players have stepped up every game. Last night was Nick Castellanos and JT Realmuto. It was Bryce Harper in the NLCS. Zack Wheeler has been awesome on the mound. Ranger Suarez (I love his name!) got the key final outs in the NLCS. Bohm, Stotts, Segura have had key hits. Rhys Hoskins had four home runs in 3 games including the epic bat spike in the wins over the Braves. The bullpen stepped up: Seranthony, Alvarado, Robertson came through last night (while nearly causing fans a heart attack) and Brogdon came through in the game 4 bullpen effort. You never know who is going to step up each night which makes this team so exciting to watch.
They Don’t Panic When Down
The Phillies were down 5-0 to the Astros and their bats were struggling for a bit. Then the Phillies had the big 4th inning to tie it up. The Phillies had 6 runs in the 9th against the Cardinals in the Wild Card Series to win Game 1. They are never out of a game. Admittedly I started to panic yesterday when it became 5-0 Houston but something told me not to flip the channel. They’re not called the fightins for nothing.
Team Chemistry
I wrote about this before. This team just clicks. You can tell how much they love each other and how much fun they have. To see this close chemistry is so special. I’ll even add the “Dancing On My Own” post game celebration song that has quickly become the city’s anthem is just fun. I couldn’t get enough of watching the team hop around singing the song as they popped bottles and celebrated moving on to the next round. They are having fun together.
The Topper
There’s nothing flashy about Phillies manager Rob Thompson but there doesn’t have to be. The guy is going for it. He is making bullpen decisions on the moment and not thinking ahead. He’s in it to win it. He’s so calm and cool, never expressing emotions and you can tell the players love him. Who knew a team that fired their manager in May would end up in the World Series?
How They Win
The Phillies certainly have a lot of power in their lineup with Harper, Hoskins, Kyle Schwarber and Realmuto. But the Phillies haven’t won on just home runs. It’s been big hits at key times. Good and patient at bats drawing walks or driving up the pitch count (something Stott has excelled at). You never know how the team is going to win but they find a way and it’s so fun to watch the games play out.
Bouncing Back
The Phillies have had some bad plays. Their defense has been shaky at times. Hoskins had several defensive mishaps but quickly bounced back with some huge home runs. Segura committed an error against the Padres and in that same inning had a huge hit. Robertson looked like he was struggling with his control last night but closed out the tenth inning and got the save. They don’t dwell on mistakes.
Well not that it’s just about game time, enough about how much I love this team. I really hope this magic continues because there seems to be something special about this team.
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