The Philadelphia Phillies face off against hated rival the New York Mets today in game 1 of the NLDS.
The Phillies secured a bye with winning the N.L. Eastern division title. The Mets defeated the Milwaukee Brewers in 3 games during the N.L. Wild Card round.
The Phillies were a Wild Card team in both 2022 and 2023. The have made deep runs in both years, making it to the World Series in 2022.
They were defeated by the Houston Astros in the World Series and last year, they lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLCS.
The Phillies star player is first baseman Bryce Harper and he has shined in the last two post seasons.
Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series in 2022 with the biggest hit of his career. He hit a big Pennant clinching home run over the left field fence that had Citizens Bank Park rocking.
Harper has 11 postseason home runs with the Phillies over the last two years. He has seven of them at CBP.
The Phillies open the 5 game NLDS series at home and Harper is 18 for 57 in 16 postseason games at CPB.
Harper loves big stage. He lives for the bright lights of October baseball.
“It’s why they call him ‘The Showman,’ ” Bryson Stott said, repeating the line Harper’s teammates often use to explain his flair for the dramatic.
Harper finished the 2024 regular with 30 home runs, 87 RBIs, 42 doubles, 85 runs scored and a .285 in 145 games.
The Phillies have a stacked lined with Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, Nick Castellanos and JT Realmuto.
Their pitching staff is led by ace Zack Wheeler and features Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sanchez and Ranger Suarez.
Jeff Hoffman, Matt Strahm and Carlos Estevez lead the bullpen. Edmundo Sosa is the top player off their bench.
The Phillies are built to win the World Series and their mission begins today at Citizens Bank Park against the Mets.
Bryce Harper and his teammates have been playing for the postseason all year. Get ready for what can be an exciting Red October.
Bryce Harper and his Phillies teammates. Photo courtesy of Bill Streicher/USA Today Sports, via Reuters
