2023 NLDS
Phillies (90-72) vs. Braves (104-58)
Game 1 - ATL RHP Strider vs. PHI LHP Suárez @ Truist Park
Game 2 - ATL LHP Fried vs. PHI RHP Wheeler @ Truist Park
Game 3 - PHI RHP Nola vs. ATL RHP Elder @ Citizens Bank Park
Game 4 - PHI LHP Suárez vs. ATL RHP Strider @ Citizens Bank Park
In a rematch of last year’s NLDS, the Braves and Phillies square off once again with a trip to the NLCS on the line. Led by Brian Snitker, Atlanta captured its 6th straight NL East crown, running roughshod through the entire league. This Braves team is an absolute juggernaut, boasting a record setting offense stocked with star power. The team matched the 2019 Twins for the most home runs in a single season with 307, and collectively Atlanta hit like the ’27 Yankees, posting a .276/.344/.501 slash line, good for a 124 OPS+. Presumptive NL MVP Ronald Acuna, Jr. led the way with a record setting season of his own (.337/.416/.596 41 HR 106 RBI 149 R 73 SB), but he was far from the only standout. Matt Olson set a Braves record with 54 HR and 139 RBI. Ozzie Albies (33 HR 109 RBI), Austin Riley (37 HR 97 RBI), and Marcell Ozuna (40 HR 100 RBI) all walloped the competition, not to mention All-Star years from catcher Sean Murphy and shortstop Orlando Arcia. Oh, and their pitching was pretty great as well. Ace Spencer Strider (20-5 3.86 ERA 186 IP) set a Braves record for strikeouts in a season with 281. Bryce Elder (12-4 3.81 ERA 174 IP) was an All-Star, and stud Max Fried (8-1 2.55 ERA 77 IP) was nearly unbeatable between his stints on the IL. The bullpen is also stacked with electric back-end arms in Raisel Iglesias, A.J. Minter, and Kirby Yates. Just two years removed from a World Series championship, Atlanta looks to be the heavy favorites heading into the playoffs. But standing in their way are their bitter division rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies.
If there is one thing these Phillies know they are not scared of, it is the Atlanta Braves. They bullied them in the NLDS last year en route to the NL Pennant, and while they only went 5-8 against their rival in the regular season, that’s far better than most other teams could muster. These Phils are confident, some might even say cocky, but they back it up with their play. Philly can match anybody in terms of star power, with Bryce Harper and Trea Turner. They’ve got tough guys who can swing a big stick too, in Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber. Perhaps most importantly, with Aaron Nola, Zach Wheeler, and Ranger Suárez, they just might have the pitching to contain the high-powered Atlanta offense. Oh and don’t you forget their other not-so-secret weapon, the Bank. No-one else in baseball can claim a better home-field advantage than Philadelphia, who hold the best playoff home winning percentage in baseball history at Citizens Bank Park entering this series. Can they keep the good times rolling, or will Atlanta find a way to spoil the fun?
Audio clips from MLB.tv
PHI Radio WIP - Scott Franzke, Larry Anderson, Tom McCarthy, Kevin Stocker
TBS - Brian Anderson, Jeff Francoeur
Catch you next time,
P.C.O.
