Phillies snap a 2+ month-long drought in 5-0 shutout win against the Astros
Aug 27, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola (27) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
It had been 64 whole days since the Phillies had last beaten back-to-back teams (currently) with winning records in a series. Tonight, that streak ended and with that, I think we all feel 100% confident that the Phillies are back.
Let’s get into the huge win for the Phils as they defended the home field.
Aaron Nola dominants Houston, again
It’s time we have a serious discussion about Aaron Nola and the Houston Astros. According to StatMuse, Aaron Nola’s career ERA in 4 starts against the Astros is 0.33! That’s 1 run in 27.2 IP. For almost all of Aaron Nola’s career the Astros have been a good if not great team, it’s hard to describe how crazy that is.
Tonight was no different for Nola, racking up 6 Ks and pitching 7 scoreless innings. He was so dominant that in the 7 innings he pitched, the Astros only had 1 runner in scoring position the entire time! They would only get 2 runners in scoring position in the entire game! Some of the most dominant pitching we’ve seen all year in the team’s first shutout in 23 days.
Thanks to Aaron Nola, not much to report from the bullpen tonight. Jose Ruiz had a 2-out scare in the 8th but struck out Yainer Diaz to get out of it. In the 9th the Phillies sent out deadline addition Tanner Banks to seal the victory and he was lights out. Tanner Banks continues to improve since leaving the White Sox with a 3.09 ERA since becoming a Phillie, compared to his 4.13 ERA as a White Sock.
Do the Phillies own Astros Justin Verlander?
Had to specify Astros Justin Verlander, because career wise the short answer is no. Ever since becoming an Astro however, it’s been a different story. Ever since becoming an Astro, the Ace just hasn’t been himself against the Phillies with a 4.50 ERA, and an ERA of 6 in his last 3 starts against the Phillies.
Tonight wasn’t Verlander’s best work. The Phillies got to Verlander early with a big 4th inning. Trea Turner started it off by scoring Austin Hays with an RBI Single. Then Casty burst the floodgates. A 3-run shot straight to center field clearing the bases and giving the Phillies a 4-0 lead. The Phillies never looked back. They would tack on one more run later in the 7th thanks to an outfield collision allowing Alec Bohm to double and once again Austin Hays to score.
Finally the Phillies offense wasn’t top-heavy, or the stars weren’t performing, or the top of lineup was slumping, none of that. The offense was what it should be. Balanced. 7 different players got a hit tonight, the front and back of the order did great, Alec Bohm (even if extremely flukey) finally got a hit with RISP, and Casty hit a high fly ball to deep left field, and that’ll make a 4-0 ballgame.
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