Shoutout to the Marlins
Following an 8-1 win and Milwaukee Brewers’ 4-3 loss on Sunday, the Philadelphia Phillies are in prime position to do something they haven’t in 10 seasons: clinch a postseason berth. Bryson Stott, Kyle Schwarber, and J.T. Realmuto powered the Phillies to victory on a rain-soaked afternoon in Washington. With a win or a Brewers’ loss Monday night, the Phillies would officially be in the 2022 MLB playoffs. —Lauren Amour, Inside the Phillies
Pitching performances:
PHI Zack Wheeler: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
WSH Patrick Corbin: 4.2 IP, 10 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Standout bats:
PHI J.T. Realmuto: 1-for-3, HR, RBI
PHI Kyle Schwarber: 2-for-3, 3 RBI, BB
PHI Bryson Stott: 2-for-3, 2B, 3 RBI
WSH Joey Meneses: 0-for-3, RBI
MORE: One of the most bizarre calls in baseball happened to the Phillies on Friday —Leo Morgenstern, Inside the Phillies
This one’s for all the marbles
The Phillies' magic number is one. One win in their next series, or a Milwaukee Brewers loss, guarantees the team their first playoff berth in 11 years. They will be fighting tooth and nail to secure that lone victory over their next three games, but it won't necessarily be easy. The 104-win Houston Astros aren't pulling any punches in this series, lining up the top of their rotation and trotting out a fully-stocked lineup to face the Phillies. —Alex Carr, Inside the Phillies
Game 1:
PHI starter: Aaron Nola (10-13, 3.36 ERA)
HOU starter: Lance McCullers Jr. (4-1, 2.38 ERA)
First pitch: October 3, 8:10 p.m. EST
NBCSP/94.1 WIP
Game 2:
PHI starter: Ranger Suárez (10-6, 3.37 ERA)
HOU starter: Justin Verlander (17-4, 1.80 ERA)
First pitch: October 4, 8:10 p.m. EST
NBCSP/TBS/94.1 WIP
Game 3:
PHI starter: Bailey Falter (6-4, 3.90 ERA)
HOU starter: Framber Valdez (16-6, 2.89 ERA)
First pitch: October 5, 1:05 p.m. EST
NBCSP/94.1 WIP
MORE: Roundtable discussion: Phillies and Astros teams debate upcoming series —Inside the Phillies Staff
Phillies recall Darick Hall, option Yairo Muñoz
In case you didn’t notice over the weekend, Darick Hall is back with the Phillies after being demoted to Triple-A on Aug. 23.
Hall was a welcome addition as he is beloved in the clubhouse and his bat is a force off the bench. He slashed .273/.354/.580 with seven home runs at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in September.
In his place, Yairo Muñoz was optioned to Lehigh Valley's roster, though their season has already come to an end. Instead, he'll join about a dozen other players at the Phillies' "Stay Ready Camp" in Philadelphia.
Hall could be a major difference maker for the Phillies. Even in August at the tail end of his hot streak, Hall slashed .302/.333/.628 with four home runs in 45 plate appearances. His return to form would be a spark that the Phillies offense so desperately needs. —Ben Silver, Inside the Phillies
MORE: Phillies to hold "Stay Ready Camp" at Citizens Bank Park —Lauren Amour, Inside the Phillies
Painter named Baseball America's Minor League Pitcher of the Year
Baseball America has handed out their first ever Minor League Pitcher of the Year Award to Phillies' top prospect Andrew Painter.
The 19-year-old finished up his 2022 MiLB season with the Double-A Reading Fightin' Phils after beginning the year with Single-A Clearwater.
Painter finished with 103.2 innings pitched and a 1.56 ERA coupled with an otherworldly 0.89 WHIP across three levels. The right-hander has firmly put himself in the conversation to compete for a roster spot at the Major League level come 2023.
Drafted with the 13th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Painter has shot up the top-prospect rankings lists and has solidified himself as one of the premium pitching talents in the minors. —Kade Kistner, Inside the Phillies
Opinion: Nola gets to create a brand new narrative this October
For years, Nola has been plagued by a narrative that he cannot perform down the stretch. It was never completely accurate—he has really only had two bad Septembers in his career—but there was a kernel of truth to it. Nola was never quite as good in September as he could be earlier in the year.
In 2022, Nola completely busted the narrative. By ERA, this was the twelfth best month of his career. By FIP, it was number five. And by xFIP, September 2022 ranks in as the best month Nola has ever pitched.
Now, as the calendar turns to October, Nola has the chance to create a brand new narrative for himself. The 29-year-old has never pitched this late in the year before. When he takes the mound against the Houston Astros on Monday, Oct. 3, it will be the first October start of his career.
What kind of pitcher will Nola be in October? How will he make his first impression in the most important month of the MLB season? The narrative is in his hands. With a great start, he can begin to build a new reputation as a late-season stud. —Leo Morgenstern, Inside the Phillies