The Philadelphia Phillies had a disappointing outcome in the NLCS, losing to the Arizona Diamondbacks and missing out on the opportunity to play in the World Series. Here are three reasons why the Phillies fell short:
1. The Diamondbacks played exceptionally well
The Diamondbacks deserve credit for their impressive performance throughout the series. Starting pitchers Merrill Kelly and Brandon Pfaadt made notable contributions, and the bullpen consisting of Paul Sewald, Kevin Ginkel, Ryan Thompson, and Andrew Saalfrank were solid. Offensively, players like Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll, Alek Thomas, Gabriel Moreno, Geraldo Perdomo, Tommy Pham, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. stepped up and delivered crucial hits. The Diamondbacks showed resilience and determination, winning games when it mattered the most.
It is important to acknowledge the Diamondbacks’ accomplishments and not discredit their success.
2. Flaws in the Phillies’ pitching
The Phillies’ pitching, particularly in the hands of closer Craig Kimbrel, played a significant role in their loss. Kimbrel’s struggles in Game 3 and Game 4 had a direct impact on the outcome of both games. In Game 3, Kimbrel allowed multiple hits and walks, resulting in the Diamondbacks winning the game. In Game 4, Kimbrel failed to hold a two-run lead and ultimately gave up the game-tying home run. Manager Rob Thomson’s decision to leave Kimbrel in the game for too long compounded the problem. These pitching failures cost the Phillies crucial victories.
3. Offensive struggles
The Phillies’ offensive performance declined in the latter part of the series. The Diamondbacks’ pitching, led by Kelly and Pfaadt, effectively kept the Phillies’ hitters in check. They limited the Phillies to just one solo home run in the final two games, whereas the Phillies had been hitting numerous home runs earlier in the playoffs. In Games 6 and 7, the Phillies struggled to score runs, going 2 for 17 with runners in scoring position and leaving a total of 17 runners on base. This lack of offensive production hindered their chances of winning the series.
In conclusion, the combination of the Diamondbacks’ strong performance, weaknesses in the Phillies’ pitching, and offensive struggles contributed to the Phillies’ loss in the NLCS. Despite holding early leads in the series, the Phillies were unable to maintain their advantage and ultimately fell short of reaching the World Series.
