Magic number down to 6 — Phillies walk off a thriller against the Mets
USA TODAY Sports
Gotta love magic number season, man. Especially when you get to have a pivotal series for winning your division against your most hated rival.
Let’s get into the crucial win for the Phils as they itch closer to the NL East crown.
Cristopher Sanchez at home>>
This man is a different animal when pitching in the bank. So good he’s the 3rd best pitcher at home in the history of the bank and today was no different. Sanchez went an astounding 7 innings, allowing just a run, and did it all with just 87 pitches. Against a Mets team with everything to play for, Sanchez dominated them.
After that, it was off to the bullpen. The bullpen has gone in cycles this year. One of our biggest strengths in the beginning of the year, to one of our biggest weaknesses in July and August, and now back to one of our biggest strengths. First Orion Kerkering came on looking to keep the game tied after Cristopher Sanchez had given up a home run in the 8th and Kerkering got out of the inning. So, it was given to Jose Ruiz to try and give the offense a chance to walk it off and that’s exactly what he did. The bullpen is hot at the right time, especially with how last year ended, we’re gonna need these guys performing.
BCIB rakes
The Phillies were the beneficiaries of some very timely hitting today. The offense for the first 8 innings couldn’t have been more dead, but then the 8th inning happened. Phillies legend Buddy Kennedy finally broke the goose egg with an RBI double to score Weston Wilson. Then it would be the ever-reliable Edwin Diaz to try and send the game to extras. Diaz did what he does best, by allowing a walkoff single from J.T. Realmuto to end the game and the series.
The middle of the order did the heavy lifting in the win today. The 4-8 hitters all recorded exactly 1 base hit. Against David Peterson, whose been one of MLB’s best pitchers this season, it was always going to be about timely hitting. Even if it took time to get that timely hitting the Phillies got it and that’s all that matters.
What’s the end of the season looking like?
Well, currently the Phillies are comfortably in first place in the NL East. A solid 8.5 games ahead of the Braves and Mets and almost a guarantee to win the division. Also fun little sidenote, one of either the Mets or Braves is probably going to heartbreakingly miss the playoffs by a game or 2 so get ready for some good hate watches.
As for the race for the 1 seed the Phillies sit atop that comfortably as well. The Dodgers trail by 2.5 games and are definitely the biggest threat to the Phillies right now. Past that the Brewers trail just behind at 3 games and then the Padres well out of the race at 6 games back.
Use code PHILLYSPORTSREPORT for $20 off your first SeatGeek order
Click here to save 10% on any order at FOCO
Ethan Whitney
Ethan is a writer for Philly Sports Reports and a Color Commentator for Rally Sports Network. He has been a massive fan of all Philly Sports for as long as he can remember and wants to share that passion with the world. He is looking for a long career in the sports media sphere.
2 thoughts on “Magic number down to 6 — Phillies walk off a thriller against the Mets”