They should’ve won that game
The Philadelphia Phillies should have won the series against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, but alas, they were unable to do so. A game of back-and-forth between the two clubs lasted six hours, complete with a long rain delay and extra innings. The Phillies eventually lost the game 8-7 after 11 innings, leaving their magic number at eight ahead of a final road trip to conclude the 2022 season. —Lauren Amour, Inside the Phillies
Pitching performances:
PHI Kyle Gibson: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 9 K
ATL Charlie Morton: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Standout bats:
PHI Kyle Schwarber: 2-for-3, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB
PHI Rhys Hoskins: 2-for-5, 2 2B
ATL Dansby Swanson: 3-for-6, HR, 3 RBI
ATL Travis d’Arnaud: 2-for-5, 2B, RBI
MORE: Phillies to face daunting challenge with final three series on the road —Leo Morgenstern, Inside the Phillies
Phillies reinstate Castellanos, option Sands
Ahead of what is perhaps their most crucial series of the 2022 season, the Phillies announced that they have reinstated outfielder Nick Castellanos from the injured list.
Castellanos had been on the IL since Sept. 4 with a mild oblique strain. It was unfortunate timing for the injury, as the slugger had just begun to heat up following a largely bleak showing in 2022.
The 30-year-old slashed .300/.333/.500 across 26 games in August with five home runs and 12 RBI. If the Phillies are able to regain this version of Castellanos off the IL, their lineup will be in great shape.
To make room for Castellanos, catcher Donny Sands was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. —Lauren Amour, Inside the Phillies
Phillies face crucial series vs. Cubs at Wrigley
After a somewhat disappointing series split versus the Braves this past weekend, the Phillies will spend the remainder of their regular season on the road. They head first to Chicago, where they'll face a Cubs team that has given them some trouble in the past.
As many will recall, last these two teams met, the Cubs swept the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park coming directly out of the All-Star break. Two months later, Philadelphia will aim for some revenge, in what could possibly be a make-or-break series for their playoff hopes. —Alex Carr, Inside the Phillies
Game 1:
PHI starter: Zack Wheeler (11-7, 2.98 ERA)
CHC starter: Marcus Stroman (4-7, 3.80 ERA)
First pitch: September 27, 7:40 p.m. EST
NBCSP/94.1 WIP
Game 2:
PHI starter: Aaron Nola (10-12, 3.28 ERA)
CHC starter: Hayden Wesneski (2-1, 2.45 ERA)
First pitch: September 28, 7:40 p.m. EST
NBCSP/94.1 WIP
Game 3:
PHI starter: Ranger Suárez (10-5, 3.38 ERA)
CHC starter: Javier Assad (1-2, 4.28 ERA)
First pitch: September 29, 2:20 p.m. EST
NBCSP/MLB Network/94.1 WIP
MORE: Roundtable: Inside the Phillies and Cubs Writers Discuss Upcoming Series —Inside the Phillies
Hand hits injured list, Phillies select Chris Devenski
The injury bug continues to plague the Phillies down the stretch. The team announced on Sunday that left-handed pitcher Brad Hand was placed on the 15-day injured list with left elbow tendinitis.
It's a substantial loss for the club, who are already short on left-handed options out of the bullpen. Hand was one of the team's more reliable arms on the season.
In his stead, recent minor league signee and right-handed pitcher, Chris Devenski, had his contract selected from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 31-year-old has thus far logged a 3.32 ERA with the IronPigs, striking out 23 batters across 19 frames of work.
To make room for Devenski on the 40-man roster, infielder Johan Camargo was designated for assignment. —Alex Carr, Inside the Phillies
MORE: Is Zach Eflin's future in the bullpen? —Ben Silver, Inside the Phillies
Why isn’t Darick Hall with the Phillies?
Darick Hall crushed his 28th Triple-A home run of the year on Friday night, posing the question: why is he yet to be promoted?
For now, he's likely in the minor leagues to get consistent at-bats. The Phillies and interim manager Rob Thomson will want him fresh for the postseason. Were he promoted to the big leagues this week, Hall would get only limited appearances as a pinch hitter. Down at Lehigh Valley he can stay in form.
Hall is red hot and finally ready for a call-up with the IronPigs' season coming to a close on Sept. 28. At that point, the Phillies will have only seven games remaining, four against the Washington Nationals and three against the Houston Astros.
Per Destiny Lugardo of Phillies Nation, Thomson said of Hall's potential call-up, “Once [the Triple A] season is over, I think the conversation gets a little more involved.”
It's likely Hall will fulfill the role of a left-handed, late-inning power bat off the bench. He is the perfect man for the job, as he now boasts 37 home runs on the year across all levels. —Ben Silver, Inside the Phillies
Opinion: Alvarado has been the best reliever in the NL down the stretch
As José Alvarado continues to impress, it might be time to ask the question: is the 27-year-old southpaw becoming one of the best relievers in the National League?
It's too soon to rank Alvarado among the likes of Edwin Díaz and Devin Williams right away. But over the past two months of baseball, he has been as dominant as either of them—if not better. It will take more than a couple months for Alvarado to truly prove himself, but he's off to a terrific start, and it's time begin having these conversations. Alvarado is the real deal.
Since returning from a minor league assignment on June 12, Alvarado has a 1.77 ERA and 1.35 FIP in 35.2 innings pitched. He has struck out 59 batters and allowed just one home run.
Over the past two months, he has been even better. In 20.2 IP since July 29, Alvarado has allowed just two earned runs for an ERA of 0.87. His has struck out 32 batters and walked just five. He has not allowed a single baserunner in 12 of his 22 appearances. Dominant doesn't even begin to cover it. —Leo Morgenstern, Inside the Phillies
MORE: Phillies likely to pursue top-tier free agents this offseason —Kade Kistner, Inside the Phillies