PHILADELPHIA – The Phillies now have their backs against the wall in unfamiliar territory.
The Phillies dropped Game 3 of the NLDS at Citi Field tonight. A game that is crucial for the potential to advance to the Championship Series, as the winner of Game 3 in a tied best-of-five series goes on to win 73% of the time. With one more game in New York, their chances have dwindled. Before we move on to Wednesday’s contest, let’s break down what happened in Tuesday’s loss.
Offense is Cold as Ice
Philadelphia’s offense once again struggled to get out of the starting blocks. In the first, it looked like Manaea might have a short night for New York. Although he retired the top of the Phillies lineup in order, all three hitters put the ball in play with an exit velocity of over 106 MPH. What felt like a promising sign, instead proved to be possibly the best opportunity Philly would see against the veteran left-hander.
Despite their prior success against Manaea as a club, the lineup managed just three hits and two walks against the Mets’ starter. One of those hits didn’t even result in a base runner, as Alec Bohm was thrown out at second trying to stretch a single into a double on a great play by center fielder Tyrone Taylor.
One of those hits was a lead-off single in the eighth inning from Edmundo Sosa, who started the game at second base over Bryson Stott. Manaea had only pitched into frame No. 8 twice this season, with the most recent time coming against the Phillies back on September 21.
Philadelphia decided they would go down with a fight instead of the whimper shown with Manaea on the mound. He gave way to Phil Maton, the brother of former Phillies infielder Nick. Maton handled the No. 9 spot before walking Kyle Schwarber. After Trea Turner advanced the runners, Bryce Harper ripped a single and drove in Philly’s first run of the game. Harper had previously come to the plate with runners on twice and failed to deliver. Game 2 hero, Nick Castellanos, would hit the first pitch he saw to drive in another before Bohm ended the inning on a flyout.
The two runs would be huge, but New York already added insurance runs in both the sixth and seventh innings, meaning Philadelphia only got a third of the way closer in what would be their best offensive inning of the night. The bottom of the order continued to struggle. Across the three games in the series, the 6-through-9 hitters in their order are a combined 3-for-41 (.073 average).
Who knows if anyone on the bench would have performed better, but they all need to perform near their peak if they hope to come back and advance.
Phillies Pitching Problems
Aaron Nola had what felt like a typical Aaron Nola start. Coming into the sixth inning, he had struck out eight Mets hitters, surrendering just two solo home runs – one to Pete Alonso and one to Jesse Winker. At just 75 pitches, things seemed like they were going smoothly for the right-hander. But in the sixth, the first three batters all reached base, forcing Nola to throw 21 more pitches in the process, and the bullpen couldn’t hold.
After Orion Kerkering recorded two outs, he couldn’t get that third before Starling Marte drove in two. Those runs were charged to Nola. José Alvarado would see his first action of this postseason, and after two quick outs, New York would load the bases. Manager Rob Thomson would turn to José Ruiz who allowed a run on Sunday. Although not charged to him, he surrendered the bases-loaded single that drove in two more.
The Phillies offense was mostly quiet and after being down 6-0, there was a minimal chance they would come back. Closer Carlos Estévez got some work and surrendered yet another run to the hot Mets offense, padlocking the door that was essentially already shut.
Game 4 is now a win-or-go-home scenario for the National League favorites. Rob Thomson has decisions to make, including who he can trust in the pitching staff and who can get the offense going. Ranger Suárez is scheduled to take the mound and after his struggles, you can expect a quick hook for the Phillies All-Star lefty.
If they want to return home with a shot to advance in Game 5 with their ace on the mound, they will need Mr. Rager to look like he did in the first half of the season. They will need the offense to figure things out early and often. Heck, they might need a miracle.
Photo Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
