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I’m Not Even Mad, Bro (Just Disappointed)
By Nick Piccone
Published:
They had ’em! For 7.9999999 innings, it felt like maaaaybe the Phillies’ postseason magic against the Braves had made a rapid return Tuesday afternoon in Atlanta. After J.T. Realmuto’s two-run triple in the 7th inning, and Jhoan Durán escaping with five outs (with one left to get in the bottom of the 8th), I started feeling pretty good about the Phillies’ chances in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series.
Heading to my car just a few minutes after the first pitch of the game, I checked the score on my phone. 1-0 Phillies. Alec Bohm had just hit a “double to deep center field” that scored Kyle Schwarber. Nice start, I thought to myself.
It wasn’t until I heard Jesús Luzardo’s 10-pitch first inning where I thought… maybe? Even when the Braves tied the game while I was still driving home, I thought the Phillies would at least make it respectable enough and maybe put a little doubt into the team that’s owned them the entirety of 2026. Once the Braves went ahead 2-1, I honestly thought that was it. And most of you probably did, too. If you’ve watched this team this season, they’ve had some incredible comebacks. But right now, they are tired. They are exhausted. They have basically been playing playoff games for two weeks. At some point, reality sets in and you eventually make peace with yourself and your fandom. Maybe next year.
This was especially true for me when the pinch-hitting Justin Crawford popped up on a 3-1 count with runners on the corners and one out.
Nobody sane thought J.T. Realmuto would somehow get that hit. But he did. Changed the game. Changed the narrative for me. Win. And once Don Mattingly went to Durán right away, I loved it. Let’s get weird. The Phillies haven’t had the luxury to set their pitching up the way they would have liked going into Game 1 – something that was entirely their fault. But how awesome would it have been to steal that Game 1 victory when you’re not the favorite anymore? They were minutes away from doing just that.
Enter Austin Riley.
Killer.
Game.
Maybe season.
They were so close to getting to the 9th inning with the lead. So close.
And we all would have taken that scenario easily.
That’s why I can’t be that mad at what transpired. They tried. They had the lead. They choked (albeit I don’t think it’s as bad as 2023, 2024, or 2025.) Most of us expected them to lose. It doesn’t take away the heartbreak in the moment, but the fact that we were even in that moment? I can’t take that for granted. Can’t be mad that they did what we pretty much expected them to do.
But man… what a win that would’ve been. What if…
But it’s not over. They still have a shot to extend their season Wednesday. They won one elimination game last postseason. It’s possible.
And the last time Austin Riley hit a go-ahead home run in the 8th inning against the Phillies in a playoff game? Well, the Braves lost the next two.
A great bit would be to win two in a row now
— Nick Piccone (@_piccone) September 29, 2026
Maybe…
Nick Piccone has covered Philly sports and events for over 15 years with various outlets, including PhillyVoice.com and PhillyInfluencer.com. In 2015, he co-launched the Straight Shooters Podcast, focused on covering the professional wrestling industry. He was a producer at Fox Sports Radio Philadelphia and currently produces broadcast and social media content for the Villanova Sports Radio Network. He grew up in South Philadelphia and South Jersey, and is a graduate of Neumann University. Contact: picconenick@gmail.com