Phillies

Phillies One Win Away from World Series Return After Mashing Diamondbacks in Game 5

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Oct 21st, 2023 · 11:12 PM EDT

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Okay, so we got ahead of ourselves a little bit after Game 2, and the Phils coughed up a 2-0 series lead, but now the NLCS is over. You heard it here first. There’s zero chance this utterly average Arizona team comes to Citizens Bank Park and beats both Aaron Nola and Ranger Suarez in back-to-back games to win 4-3 and shock the world.

If Arizona wins this series I will quit my job as Crossing Broad editor and work night shift at the Aramingo Avenue Wawa. No cap. These bozos are COOKED. Stick a fork in ’em.

What a win though. The Phils bounced back in emphatic fashion following the Game 4 collapse, getting 7 innings out of Zach Wheeler, who is a bona fide superstar. With the bullpen depleted and beat up, he conceded just six hits, one walk, and one earned run while striking out eight in the process. He’s been immense this postseason.

Offensively? Well the Phils mashed again. They got after Zac Gallen early, put two runs on the board, then hit three straight home runs to build a 6-1 lead. Jeff Hoffman was lights out in the 8th, Seranthony Dominguez got two outs in the 9th, and then Matt Strahm shut the door with a strikeout of Corbin Carroll.

Believe it or not, J.T. Realmuto’s two-run shot broke a ridiculous streak of 16-straight solo homers. Bryce Harper got on base via fielding error, and then Realmuto took Luis Frias deep to cure Delaware Valley agita and provide some much-needed breathing room.

There’s not much more to say right now. Let’s close these dweebs out on Monday. Meantime, enjoy the home runs:

The legend of Kyle Schwarber. #NLCS pic.twitter.com/EbnQ2fhpt7

— MLB (@MLB) October 22, 2023

HARPER HOMER pic.twitter.com/8l8hDIxqNH

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 22, 2023

Just Tanks Realmuto pic.twitter.com/u1Y4jht1jG

— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) October 22, 2023