MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:
MARLINS MINUTE
The Miami Marlins today continue Postseason play with Game Two of the National League Wild Card series against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in the club’s first playoff series since 2020 and the first in a full season since 2003. The Marlins are coming off a 3-3 road trip that finished with a series win at Pittsburgh, 2-1.
YESTERDAY’S RECAP
Miami dropped Game One to Philadelphia, 4-1. LHP Jesus Luzardo surrendered 3 runs on 8 hits in 4.0 innings in the start, with 5 strikeouts and 0 walks. The bullpen combined to hold the Phillies to 1 run on 3 hits over 4.0 innings. 1B Josh Bell (3×4, 2 2B) accounted for 3 of Miami’s 7 hits, scoring the lone run on a RBI-infield single by LF Bryan De La Cruz (1×4). The Marlins went 2×7 with runners in scoring position.
FISH PHILET
The Marlins play their first ever Postseason series against Philadelphia this week at Citizens Bank Park where they are 74-104 all-time. Miami fared 4-2 at Philadelphia this season, winning both of the two series and most recently with a 2-1 series victory from Sept. 8-10. Overall this season, went 7-6 against the Phil’s, taking 3 of 4 series.
RING THE BELL
1B Josh Bell, who Miami acquired at the trade deadline on Aug. 1 from Cleveland in exchange for INF Jean Segura and Minor League INF Kahlil Watson, collected 3 hits in Game One on Tuesday, with 2 doubles and scored Miami’s only run.
- Now has 4 doubles in his last 4 games dating back to last Friday at Pittsburgh.
- He made his Postseason debut in 2022 with San Diego. In 5 games vs. Philadelphia in the National League Championship Series, went 6×17 (.353) with 1 double, 1 home run, and 3 RBI.
- On Tuesday night, Bell joined Dontrelle Willis on Oct. 4, 2003 as the only two players in Marlins history to collect at least 3 hits in their Postseason debut with the club. Marked his second career 3-hit game in the postseason (Oct. 19, 2022 vs. PHI).
FALSE STARTS
During the 2023 regular season, the Marlins went just 21-31 in the first game of a series, while going a combined 59-43 in games two and three. Miami won 8 series this year after falling behind 0-1.
GET WILD MIAMI!
The Marlins clinched a National League Wild Card spot, marking the fourth Postseason appearance in club history and first since 2020. The last time the Marlins reached the Postseason in a full season was 2003, when the club won the World Series as a Wild Card.
- In securing the second National League Wild Card position this season, the Marlins returned to a familiar position, as it marked the fourth time (of four total postseason appearances) that the club made its way into the Postseason as a Wild Card seed. In 1997, the Marlins became the 1st team in MLB history to win the World Series as a Wild Card team (Wild Card Era began in 1995). Then, in 2003, the Marlins became the only team in MLB to win the World Series two times as a Wild Card team, and still hold that title.
- Miami earned the second Wild Card spot in the National League, finishing the regular season tied with Arizona who they went 4-2 against in 2023 to win the first tiebreaker.
REGULAR SEASON RECAP
The Marlins finished the 2023 regular season schedule going 84-78, marking the club’s first winning season since moving to Miami and the first since 2009. Miami reached as high as 14 games over .500 twice this season (last on July 9), marking just the third time in franchise history the Marlins have been at least 14 games over .500 at any point (also, 1997 – finished 22 games over; and 2003 – finished 20 games over).
IN SKIP WE TRUST
Marlins rookie Manager Skip Schumaker guided the Marlins to a 84-78 record and .519 winning percentage in his first year at the helm. He became the third Marlins manager to secure a winning record in their first full season managing the team, joining Jim Leyland (92-70; 1997) and Jack McKeon (83-79; 2004). Both Leyland and McKeon had previous managing experience prior to becoming the Marlins manager.
BRAX ATTACKS
LHP Braxton Garrett held opponents to 1 ER or less in 16 starts this season, the second-most by a left-handed starter in club history, trailing only Dontrelle Willis who recorded 18 such starts in 2005. Garrett finished the 2023 season tied with MIN’s Sonny Gray and TEX’s Jordan Montgomery for the 2nd-most such starts in MLB, behind only SD’s Blake Snell (17).
- In Garrett’s 30 starts, the Marlins went 21-9.
- Garrett started the season in the Marlins bullpen, making 1 relief appearance on April 1 vs. NYM before being optioned to Triple-A on April 3… was recalled on April 4, and slotted into the rotation in absence of RHP Johnny Cueto.
- Will make Postseason debut tonight at Philadelphia.
TALKIN’ TANNER
Marlins closer LHP Tanner Scott (104 K) joined Kyle Barraclough (113, 2016) as the only two relief pitchers in franchise history to record 100 strikeouts in a season. He is the first left-handed reliever in club history to accomplish the feat. Ranked 1st in the National League with 104 strikeouts (3rd in MLB). His 32 multi-strikeout games also ranked tied for 1st in the NL, and tied for 4th in MLB.
ONE-RUN WONDERS
The Marlins went 33-14 in one-run games this year, with their .702 winning percentage in such games marking the best record in MLB. Only the Reds won more games decided by one run (34).
- Miami’s .702 winning pct. in one-run games is the best mark in franchise history, while the 33 one-run wins are tied for the 2nd-most such wins with the 1997 and 2000 teams, trailing only the 2014 Marlins (35-29).
LA REGADERA
Venezuelan-born Luis Arraez was crowned the National League batting champion, finishing the season with a .354 batting average to become the first player in MLB history to win batting titles in two different leagues in consecutive years. Overall, only two players have won batting titles in each league – DJ LeMahieu (NL – 2016; AL – 2020) and Ed Delahanty (NL – 1899; AL – 1902).
2023 NLWCS GAME 2 STARTER – #29 BRAXTON GARRETT
- Braxton Garrett, 26, makes his first career postseason start and 31st start (32nd app.) of 2023 today. Marks his sixth career start against the Philadelphia Phillies. Last faced Philadelphia on Aug. 2, 2023 at loanDepot park. Allowed 3 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks over 5.0 innings. Struck out 5. Did not factor into the decision, but Miami won 9-8 in the Marlins debut of both Jake Burger and Josh Bell. In his final regular season start on Sept. 27 in Game 1 of the DH at New York-NL, allowed 4 runs on 3 hits (2 home runs) over 4.0 innings. Struck out 2 and took his 7th loss of the year. Held opponents to 1 ER or less in 16 starts this season, the second-most by a left-handed starter in club history, trailing only Dontrelle Willis who recorded 18 such starts in 2005. Ranked second for the most such starts in the MLB behind SD’s Blake Snell (17). The Marlins went 21-9 in Garrett’s starts this year, including 8 consecutive wins from May 31 – July 8 and 4 consecutive wins from July 28 – Aug. 14. Have won 6 of last 10. Finished the season with a 5.38 (156/29) K/BB ratio (min. 100.0 IP); ranked third in NL and
sixth-best in MLB. Struck out a career-high 13 batters on June 22 vs. PIT, setting a club record for the most strikeouts by a left-hander in a game (was matched by Jesus Luzardo on 7/23 vs. COL). Finished June with a 3-0 record and a 2.22 ERA (28.1/7), walking 3 batters while striking out 38 in 5 starts and posting a 0.78 WHIP. The only two players in Club history to finish the month of June with a lower WHIP (min. 25.0 IP) were Jose Fernandez in 2016 (0.70) and Brad Penny in 2001 (0.73). In 15 starts (16 apps.) at loanDepot park this season, went 3-4 with a 4.46 ERA (80.2/40) and 83 strikeouts. In 15 starts away, went 6-3 with a 2.85 ERA (79.0/25) and 73 strikeouts. RHB vs. Garrett in 2023: .261 AVG (124×475), .300 OBP, .448 SLG, .748 OPS. LHB vs. Garrett: .211 AVG (30×142), .276 OBP, .324 SLG, .600 OPS. Career, RHB vs. Garrett: .270 AVG (231×855), .327 OBP, .455 SLG, .782 OPS. LHB vs. Garrett: .226 AVG (59×261), .300 OBP, .318 SLG, .618 OPS.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES NOTES:
GAME 1 RECAP: The Phillies defeated the Miami Marlins, 4-1, in Game 1 of the 2023 NLWCS at a sold-out Citizens Bank Park (45,662 in attendance) … Starter Zack Wheeler (W, 1-0) tossed 6.2 innings and allowed 1 run on 5 hits with 0 walks and 8 strikeouts – Through the first 6.0 innings Wheeler limited Miami to only 2 baserunners (both singles) … The Phillies struck first in the 3rd inning on an Alec Bohm RBI double that scored Johan Rojas … In the 4th, the Phillies had 4 hits and plated 2 runs on RBI from Bryson Stott and Cristian Pache … Miami scored in the 7th to make 3-1 but Jose Alvarado (2) and Jeff Hoffman (1) each stranded their inherited runners on base … In the 8th, the Phillies added an insurance run as Bryce Harper scored from 1st base on a Nick Castellanos double … Craig Kimbrel picked up his 8th career postseason save with a scoreless 9th.
BEDLAM AT THE BANK: The Phillies are 23-11 all time in the postseason at Citizens Bank Park and their .676 winning percentage is the best in MLB history for any club to play 30+ postseason games at their home venue (Elias) … NYM (.667) at Shea Stadium (1969-2006) ranks 2nd, STL .660 win %) at Busch Stadium (1967-2005) ranks 3rd, HOU (.636 win %) at Minute Maid Park (2001-22) ranks 4th, BAL (.633 win %) at Memorial Stadium (1966-83) ranks 5th and NYY (.627 win %) at Yankee Stadium I (1923-2007) ranks 6th … The Phillies lost their first two postseason games at CBP, Game 1 & 2 of the 2007 NLDS vs COL – Since then, the Phillies have won 23 of their last 32 postseason games at CBP (.719 win %) with a +73 run differential (175-102).
YOU HAVE TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT: “I knew it was going to be crazy, but I didn’t expect that. That was awesome, I got chills.” – Zack Wheeler … “Man, I missed it. It felt like a continuation of last year. It was amazing.” – Nick Castellanos … “It was electric.” – Trea Turner … “I was just taking in the crowd. It’s an unbelievable place and it takes it up a notch in October. I was just trying to take in as much of that as I can.” – Rhys Hoskins … “There is no bigger home field advantage in Major League Baseball than what they enjoy here in Philadelphia.” – ESPN’s Karl Ravech … “It’s hard to quantify what a crowd can mean in terms of the outcome of a game. What I do know is that was as wild of an atmosphere I have experienced in a very long time.” – Miami Herald’s Craig Mish … “On a night their raucous ballpark at the base of South Broad Street officially became the toughest playoff venue for opponents in baseball history, the Philadelphia Phillies got lost in the hysteria of Citizens Bank Park.” – USA Today’s Gabe Lacques … “I would love to play in a game like this. The crowd is on fire #RedOctober.” – Eagles WR AJ Brown … “It’s too soon to talk about the unique decibel levels of Citizens Bank Park, the rabid fervor of unwelcoming fans that opposing players remember almost a year later. Call it boldness, or brashness or obnoxious; baseball here is a spectacle.” – Yahoo Sports’ Hannah Keyser
I’M GIVING IT MY ALL: The Phillies are 13-4 all-time in clinching games with a .765 winning percentage that is the best among all teams in MLB history in the postseason (min. 10 games) … All-time in Philadelphia, the Phillies are 7-2 in clinching games (.778 win %) and 4-1 (.800 win %) at Citizens Bank Park.
WELCOME TO RED OCTOBER: The Phillies woke up on June 3 (the one-year anniversary of Rob Thomson’s first game as manager) seven games under .500 at 25-32 and from that point on, went 65-40 with a .619 winning percentage that ranked T-3rd among all clubs in MLB (with BAL), behind only ATL (.676) and LAD (.625) … On Sept. 26, the Phillies clinched the top wildcard spot and their second consecutive postseason appearance with a walk-off win over the Pirates … The Phillies slugged 220 home runs this season which ranked 2nd in club history (224 in 2009) but they set a franchise record with 121 home runs after the All-Star break … The Phillies had six different players with 20+ home runs which set a franchise record … Zack Wheeler led all pitchers in MLB in fWAR (5.9) as Philadelphia’s pitching combined for 24.4 fWAR which led MLB and was 6.3 wins in front of SD who ranked 2nd in the NL at 18.1 fWAR.
CITIZENS BANK SPARK: The Phillies went 49-32 at Citizens Bank Park this season with a +83 run differential (418-335) that was their best mark at home since they were +114 at home in 2011 (367-253) … Of their 26 home series this season, the Phillies won 17 of them … Philadelphia’s 49 wins and .605 winning percentage were both tied for 3rd-best in CBP history (since 2004), behind only the 2010 club (54-30, .643) and the 2011 team (52-39, .642) … The Phillies reached 3,000,000 in attendance for the 9th time in the history of CBP and for the first time since 2013 … Philadelphia saw their attendance increase by over 9,500 per game from a season ago which was the most of any club in MLB.
MR. OCTOBER: Last postseason, Bryce Harper slashed .349/.414/.746 with a 1.160 OPS, 12 runs, 7 doubles, 6 home runs, 13 RBI and 6 walks over 71 plate appearances … Harper was named NLCS MVP after posting a 1.250 OPS in five games against the Padres – Harper hit a go-ahead 2-run home run in the 8th inning of Game 5 at Citizens Bank Park to send the Phillies to the World Series … In 27 plate appearances with runners on base last postseason, Harper slashed .435/.500/.957 with a 1.457 OPS that ranks 7th among all MLB players over the last 50 seasons in a single postseason (min. 25 PA) and 3rd among NL players, behind only Albert Pujols in 2011 (1.589 OPS), Pujols in 2004 (1.519 OPS) and Barry Bonds in 2002 (1.493 OPS).
IN COMPANY WITH COOPERSTOWN: On Sept. 12, Bryce Harper became only the 18th player in Major League Baseball history to reach 1,500 career hits and 300 home runs before turning 31 years old … He is joined by Hall-of-Famers Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Mell Ott, Duke Snider, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Eddie Mathews, Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson, Johnny Bench, Ken Griffey Jr. and Vladimir Gurrero … Of the 18 players in MLB history with 1,500 hits and 300 home runs before turning 31, the only ones currently not in the Hall of Fame are Harper, Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, Andruw Jones, Alex Rodriguez and Juan Gonzalez … Of those 18 players with 1,500 hits and 300 home runs before turning 31, only four had 900+ walks at the time: Mantle (973), Harper (947), Mathews (910) and Gehrig (909).
GET ME TO THE PLATE BOYS: In “Close & Late” situations (7th inning or later with the batting team ahead by one run, tied, or with the tying run on base, at bat or on deck), Bryce Harper had 91 plate appearances this season and slashed .387/.495/.667 with a 1.161 OPS that was the best in MLB – he reached base safely in 45 of those 91 plate appearances … Per FanGraphs, Harper ranked 2nd in MLB this year in Win Probability Added at 5.77 – he trailed only Ronald Acuna Jr. (6.87) – Mookie Betts ranked 3rd behind Harper at 5.21.
LEADING MAN: Leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber had a career-high 126 walks this season which ranks T-4th in Phillies franchise history for a single year with HOF Billy Hamilton who had 126 in 1894 … Bobby Abreu ranks 3rd with 127 in 2004 and HOF Mike Schmidt ranks 2nd with 128 in 1983 … The franchise record for walks in a season is 129, set by Lenny Dykstra in 1993 … Schwarber ranked 2nd in MLB this year in both walks and walk rate (17.5%), trailing only Juan Soto in both (132, 18.6%) … After he was moved back to the leadoff spot on June 2, the Phillies went 65-41 (.613 win %) – In that span, they went 46-16 when Schwarber scored a run (.742) and 24-7 in the 31 games he homered (.774) … Schwarber hit a franchise record 11 leadoff home runs this season which eclipsed Jimmy Rollins’ previous record of 9 in 2007.
120 WALKS, 100 RUNS, 100 RBI, 45 HOMERS: Kyle Schwarber (126 BB, 108 R, 104 RBI, 47 HR) is one of only 13 MLB players since 1920 (when RBI became official) with a 120 walk/100 R/100 RBI/45 HR season … Babe Ruth did so eight times, Barry Bonds four times, Mark McGwire two times, and Lou Gehrig, Chipper Jones, Aaron Judge, Harmon Killebrew, Ralph Kiner, Mickey Mantle, Willie McCovey, Mike Schmidt & Jim Thome all did so once.
SCHWARBER, McGWIRE, RUTH: In his first two seasons in Philadelphia (since 2022), Kyle Schwarber hit 93 home runs which ranks 2nd in MLB behind only Aaron Judge (99 HR) and he walked 212 times which also ranks 2nd in MLB behind only Juan Soto (267 BB) … Schwarber is only the 3rd player in MLB history with 90+ home runs and 200+ walks through any player’s first two seasons with a club: Mark McGwire with St. Louis from 1997-98 (94 HR, 205 BB) and Babe Ruth with the Yankees from 1920-21 (113 HR, 294 BB).
SOUTHPAW SUCCESS: The Phillies hit 30 home runs as left handed batters off left handed pitchers this year, most of any club in MLB (next: LAD, 27) … Philadelphia’s lefty hitters walked 92 times against LHP which was also tops in MLB (next: SD, 69 BB) … Philadelphia’s right-handed hitters posted a .483 SLG against LHP which was 3rd in MLB, behind only ATL (.541) and SD (.491)… Combined (LHH & RHH), the Phillies slashed .256/.327/.452 with a .778 OPS off lefties that was 8th in MLB … The Phils went 30-21 (.588 win %) in games they faced a left-handed starter this year.
ON THE PLUS SIDE: The Phillies set a franchise record and had a major league high seven players with an OPS+ of 104 or better who qualified for the batting title: Bryce Harper (146 OPS+), Kyle Schwarber (122 OPS+), Nick Castellanos (112 OPS+), Trea Turner (111 OPS+), Alec Bohm (108 OPS+), J.T. Realmuto (106 OPS+) and Bryson Stott (104 OPS+) – Brandon Marsh posted a 127 OPS+ but fell 30 plate appearances short of qualifying … Atlanta ranked 2nd behind the Phillies with six players with an OPS+ of 104 better (Acuna, Albies, Harris, Olson, Ozuna, Riley) … The Phillies are one of only 40 teams in the Modern Era to have seven players qualify for the batting title and post an OPS+ of 104 or better (last 10: NYM in 2022, LAA in 2012, LAA in 2011, NYY in 2009, CLE in 2005, NYY in 2005, BOS in 2003, CAL in 1982, MIL in 1978 and CIN in 1974).
AMONG THE GREATS: Right-hander Craig Kimbrel finished the year with 1,191 career strikeouts which ranks 5th among all relief pitchers since at least 1893 (Elias) … Of the four relief pitchers currently in front of Kimbrel on the strikeout list, three are Hall of Famers (Hoyt Wilhelm – 1,363 SO, Goose Gossage – 1,340 SO, Lee Smith – 1,225 SO) and the other is Billy Wagner (1,196 SO), Kimbrel’s former teammate, who received 51.0% of the vote this past year, his 7th on the ballot … Kimbrel was selected as an All-Star for the 9th time in 2023 and picked up his first career save in an ASG … Kimbrel is only the 13th pitcher in history with 9+ career selections to the ASG – of those 13 players, 9 are in Cooperstown: Warren Spahn (14 ASG), Mariano Rivera (13 ASG), Tom Seaver (12 ASG), Tom Glavine (10 ASG), Randy Johnson (10 ASG), Steve Carlton (10 ASG), Goose Gossage (9 ASG), Juan Marichal (9 ASG) and Carl Hubbell (9 ASG) – the only four pitchers with nine+ ASG selections who are not in the HOF are Roger Clemens (11 ASG), Clayton Kershaw (10 ASG), Justin Verlander (9 ASG) and Kimbrel … He currently ranks 8th in MLB history with 417 saves.
RISP AND REWARD: From July 1 through the end of the season, the Phillies slashed .278/.354/.485 with runners in scoring position and posted an .839 OPS with RISP which ranked 4th in MLB … From July 1 through the end of the season, the Phils had six qualified players with an OPS over .800 with RISP: Kyle Schwarber (1.046), Bryce Harper (1.024), Brandon Marsh (1.016), Alec Bohm (.937), Nick Castellanos (.840) and Bryson Stott (.802).
TURNED HIM LOOSE: Shortstop Trea Turner had a career-high 66 extra-base hits in his first season in Philadelphia … He also hit 26 home runs, scored 102 runs and was a perfect 30-for-30 in stolen base attempts … Dating back to last season, Turner is 35-for-35 in stolen base attempts – his 100.0% success rate this season is the highest since 1951 among all MLB players who attempted at least 30 stolen bases in one season (previous: Brady Anderson in 1994 & Carlos Beltran in 2001, both 31-for-32/96.9%) … From Aug. 4 through the end of the season, (48 G), Turner slashed .337/.389/.668 with a 1.057 OPS (211 PA) that ranked 4th out of 143 qualified players in MLB.
ARMS RACE: The Phillies starting rotation led the National League with 899.0 innings pitched this year which ranked 3rd in MLB, behind only SEA (901.1) and HOU (900.0) … Philadelphia’s rotation put up 17.7 fWAR as a staff which ranked 1st among all MLB rotations (next: MIN, 16.5) and was 3.2 wins in front of the next closest NL club (SD, 14.5) … Consequently, Philadelphia’s bullpen threw the fewest innings of any relief corps in MLB this year with 543.1, yet Philadelphia’s relief pitchers combined for 6.7 fWAR which was 3rd in MLB behind LAD (7.6) and BAL (7.5) … Combined (SP & RP), Phillies pitching put up 24.4 fWAR this year which was the best in MLB (next: TB, 20.6) and was 6.3 wins in front of SD who ranked 2nd in the NL with 18.1 fWAR.
YOU’RE SO GOLDEN: Second baseman Bryson Stott ranked T-4th among all players in Major League Baseball with 17 Outs Above Average (with PIT’s Ke’Bryan Hayes) – the only players in MLB with more OAA than Stott were CHI’s SS Dansby Swanson (20 OAA), SF’s INF Thairo Estrada (19 OAA) and CLE’s 2B Andres Gimenez (18 OAA) – CHI 2B Nico Hoerner trailed Stott with 15 OAA and Stott (7 DRS) ranked ahead of Estrada (2 DRS) in Defensive Runs Saved … Stott led all National League second baseman in games played (148) and total chances (602) and he ranked 2nd in innings at the position (1294.1), trailing only ATL’s Ozzie Albies (1314.0) … Stott made only 5 errors and posted a .992 fielding percentage … He set a franchise record earlier this season when he began his career with 84 consecutive games at second base without an error, eclipsing the previous mark held by Tomas Perez (57 G) from 2001-02.
SAINT NICK: Nick Castellanos played 148 games in right field this season (1292.1 total innings) and he had 10 outfield assists with 0 errors in 264 total chances … He is the first Phillies outfielder with 250+ total chances and 0 errors in the outfield since Shane Victorino in 2011 (296 TC, 0 errors) … Castellanos is only the third outfielder in Phillies history to complete a season with 10+ outfield assists and 0 errors, joining Victorino in 2006 (11 assists, 0 errors) and Johnny Callison in 1968 (10 assists, 0 errors) … Since 1901, Castellanos is only the 3rd MLB right fielder to play in 100 games with 10+ assists and 0 errors: BAL’s Nick Markakis (2x, 2011 & 2014) and Callison in 1968.
HATS OFF TO YOU, THOMS: Phils’ skipper Rob Thomson, the 56th manager in Phillies history, is the only one of those 56 to reach the postseason in their first two seasons as manager of the Phillies … Per Baseball Reference, there have been 838 managers in MLB history – of those 838,
Thomson is one of only 13 to reach the postseason in their first two seasons as a manager (per Elias) … In chronological order, he is joined by John Schneider (2022-23), Rocco Baldelli (2019-20), Aaron Boone (2018-19), Jeff Banister (2015-16), Mike Matheny (2012-13), Ron Gardenhire (2002-03), Bob Brenly (2001-02), Larry Dierker (1997-98), Ralph Houk (1961-62), Mickey Cochrane (1934- 35), Bucky Harris (1924-25) and Hughie Jennings (1907-08) … Since Thomson took over on June 3, 2022, the Phillies are 155-118 with a .568 winning percentage that ranks T-6th in MLB.
TONIGHT’S STARTER – AARON NOLA • RHP #27
2023: 12-9, 4.46 ERA Career: 90-71, 3.72 ERA
LAST START: 9/26 vs PIT: ND, 6.2 IP, 4 H, ER, HR 0 BB, 8 SO … Nola vs Keller … The Phillies defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in walk-off fashion as they clinched their second consecutive postseason berth (1st time since at least 1920 via walk-off) … Philadelphia also clinched the #4 seed as the top Wild Card and home field advantage in the first round …Brandon Marsh led off the 6th inning with a solo homer to snap a 0-0 tie and break up Pittsburgh’s no-hit bid – the Phillies would add another run in the frame with a Bryce Harper sac-fly … Pittsburgh plated a run in the 7th and 8th to tie the game at 2-2 … Jeff Hoffman (W, 5-2) stranded his 23rd runner of the year with a scoreless 10th inning … In the bottom of the 10th, Johan Rojas became the first Phillies rookie in franchise history and the first MLB rookie since NYY’s Alfonso Soriano in 1999 with a walk-off RBI on the same day the player’s team clinched a postseason spot … It marked the first time the Phillies clinched a postseason spot at home since Sept. 17, 2011, when they clinched their 5th straight NL East title
TONIGHT’S START:
- Hunt for Red October: Nola got the start in the Phillies postseason-clinching games in 2022 and 2023 … In those two starts, Nola combined for 13.1 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB and 17 strikeouts
- Hot October: Nola will be making his 6th postseason start tonight … His first 5 all came last year … In his first start of the postseason last year, Nola went 6.2 IP while allowing 4 hits, no runs, 1 walk and 6 strikeouts … Nola did not allow an ER in either of his first postseason starts last year and he is one of 3 players since 1992 to begin their postseason career with consecutive starts of at least 6.0 IP and no ER … He is the first Phillies pitcher to begin his postseason career with two straight starts of 6.0 IP and 0 ER … Nola made 2 postseason starts at CBP last year and posted a 2.70 ERA (3 ER, 10.0 IP)
- Strike ‘Em Out: Nola struck out 200 batters for the fifth time in his career and has done it in five straight seasons (not including 2020) … He is the only Phillies pitcher to post 5+ straight 200 strikeout seasons and he is only the 22nd pitcher in MLB history … His 5, 200+ strikeout seasons are the 2nd most in franchise history, trailing only Steve Carlton (7) … Nola is 5th on the Phillies all-time strikeout list with 1,582 and trails Chris Short by 3 for 4th place … On 9/2, Nola surpassed Curt Schilling and moved into 5th place on the Phillies all-time strikeout list … Coming into the season, Nola was 7th on the all-time Phillies list and passed Grover Cleveland Alexander on 5/3 to move into 6th … Nola trails Steve Carlton (3,031), Robin Roberts (1,871), Cole Hamels (1,844) and Chris Short (1,585)
- In the Zone: Nola had 18 starts this season with 1 or no walks … He finished T-7th in the NL for such starts … Since 2018, he is T-2nd in MLB and T-1st in the NL with 98 and only 4 other pitchers have at least 90 of them … Zack Greinke (117), Miles Mikolas (98), Kyle Hendricks (94) and Zack Wheeler (94) … Nola’s 2.09 BB/9.0 IP ranked 6th in the NL
- WARlord: Nola now has 33.9 fWAR on his career … He surpassed Curt Simmons for possession of 6th place on the Phillies all time fWAR list among pitchers … He now trails Steve Carlton (75.0), Robin Roberts (62.6), Grover Alexander (50.8), Cole Hamels (40.5) and Curt Schilling (38.6)
- Sharp as a WHIP: Nola had a 1.15 WHIP on the season, which was 7th in the NL … Nola’s 1.13 career WHIP is T-8th best in Phillies history (min. 500.0 IP)
- Pitch Usage: Curveball (31.6%), 4-Seam Fastball (29.4%), Sinker (18.9%), Changeup (12.6%), Cutter (7.5%)
- vs NL East: 36-36, 3.52 ERA (264 ER, 668.0 IP) in 111 starts
Home: - 2023: 6-3, 3.29 ERA (32 ER, 87.2 IP) in 14 starts
- Career: 50-27, 3.20 ERA (254 ER, 715.1 IP) in 115 starts
- Postseason: 1-1, 2.70 ERA (3 ER, 10.0 IP)
2023 SEASON:
- Lights Out: Nola has had 2 starts this year in which he pitched 7.0 innings while allowing 1 hit … He’s done so 5th times in his career and it’s the 1st time he’s had multiple such games in a single season … He was one of 6 ML pitchers this year to have multiple such games … He joined Zack Wheeler (2021) and Kevin Millwood (2003) as the only Phillies pitchers to have multiple such games in a season since 1980 … Only Steve Carlton (7) and Grover Alexander (6) have more starts with at least 7.0 IP and 1 or no hits as a Phillie
- Winning DNA: On 8/16, Nola earned his 10th win of the season … It was his 5th, 10- win season of his career and he became 1 of 19 Phillies pitchers to earn at least 5, 10-win seasons in their career … The only Phillies with more 10+ win seasons are Steve Carlton (13), Robin Roberts (12), Grover Alexander (7), Cole Hamels (6), Kyle Kendrick (6), Curt Simmons (6), Bill Duggleby (6) and Al Orth (6)
- Innings Eater: Since the start of the 2018 season, Nola’s 1065.1 IP are the 2nd-most in the majors … This season, Nola went at least 6.0 IP in 22 of his 33 starts … His 21 instances of 6.0 or more innings were tied for tied for the 9th most in the majors
- Philly Value: Since 2018, Nola is one of two pitchers in baseball to accrue more than 20.0 fWAR (25.5) and pitch for only one team (other: Shane Bieber, 20.7) … In that span, he ranks 5th overall in fWAR behind only Gerrit Cole (28.5), Zack Wheeler (27.9), Max Scherzer (28.1), and Jacob deGrom (27.2)
- What Is It Good For: Additionally, since the start of the 2022 season, Nola’s 10.2 fWAR is the most in the NL … Zack Wheeler is 2nd with 10.1
- 7th Heaven: On 8/10, Nola made his 227th career start … Nola now holds sole possession for the 7th most starts in Phillies history … Nola trails Steve Carlton (499), Robin Roberts (472), Chris Short (301), Cole Hamels (294), Grover Alexander (280) and Curt Simmons (263)
- Phils’ Ranks: Recorded the 30th double-digit SO game of his career and 3rd of 2023 on 7/4 at TB … Is now in sole possession of 3rd place in club history (Curt Schilling is 2nd with 48)
