Both belief and expectations of a city changed following the Phillies’ Game 1 NLCS win over the Padres.

This is no longer a cute story, one that formed seemingly out of nowhere as the Phillies slingshotted from an autumn afterthought to toast of the town in just two weeks’ time. Now, the conventional thought is no longer that this team can reach the World Series, it’s that it should.

This assertion isn’t based on the odds, which, by the way, have seen the Phillies move overnight from a small NLCS underdog to a steady betting favorite to win the National League pennant.

It’s not even about the matchups. We didn’t necessarily learn anything new last night. The Phillies’ winning formula has been in place throughout this stunning run: strong starting pitching, a regular season MVP playing like a postseason one, sporadic offensive contributions elsewhere, and a dangerous combination of late-inning relievers.

But where the feeling around it all officially changed for good came during the bottom of ninth inning with the Phillies clinging to a 2-0 lead.


More specifically, right here:

https://twitter.com/BrodesMedia/status/1582563416425738242?s=20&t=lZtagI6yep7NRE4sn32xrg

Phillies fans know this type of moment well. Things are rolling, something stupid happens, unspeakable devastation follows. The victory march detours right off a cliff. Sadness and self-loathing ensue.

Years of expecting the worst, only to see the worst come to fruition, programmed many to anticipate what would follow after Alec Bohm’s throw sailed an inch too far from the webbing of Bryson Stott’s glove.

In steps Manny Machado. A ball rockets into the gap. Tie game.

One batter later, the Padres are bouncing around home plate. You don’t know why you do this to yourself.

Many fans would bet on such an outcome. Hell, some probably did.

Except this time, the anticipated devastation never came. Machado and Josh Bell were both quickly disposed of by Jose Alvarado, and the Phillies now find themselves three wins away from a World Series appearance absolutely nobody saw coming.

The path forward is direct.

The Phillies hold a series lead, have the combination of Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola scheduled to make three more starts, and possess the luxury of three games scheduled in South Philly this weekend. A winning on-field formula has been supercharged by the energy of Dancing on My Own blasting in bars and commuting cars of the Delaware Valley, local news stations diving all-in, red rally towels swinging, and schools holding pep rallies.

I mean, everybody, everywhere is talking Phillies right now, and following Tuesday night, it sure feels like the belief — and expectations — have reached new heights.