Oct 6, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos (8) is interviewed after game two of the NLDS against the New York Mets for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
On Pattison's countdown of the 15 best Phillies games of 2024 continues with an incredible postseason victory. Would call it magical... but for the NLDS result.
15) April 16, 2024 - Ranger Suarez throws a complete game shutout
14) September 14, 2024 - The Cal Stevenson game
13) May 18, 2024 - Kody Clemens ninth-inning home run
12) July 9, 2024 - Phillies clobber Dodgers, 10-1, in first game of series sweep
11) June 18, 2024 - Nick Castellanos walk-off double against Padres
10) June 24, 2024 - Phillies turn 1-3-5 triple play
9) April 30, 2024 - Castellanos and Rojas hit ninth-inning bombs against Angels
8) June 3, 2024 - Rhys Hoskins returns to Philly as a Brewer
7) October 6, 2024 - Nick Castellanos NLDS walk-off single
The exercise of ranking baseball games is inherently an inexact science. But ranking the Phillies' lone 2024 postseason win is particularly challenging.
One could make an argument to leave it off the list entirely. The Phils' NLDS performance was such a spectacular failure that anything associated with it feels awful.
On the other hand, the game was objectively fantastic. A back-and-forth affair that ended with a Nick Castellanos walkoff single. And as the only postseason W, there's a case for it to top the list.
So... Number seven? Feels like a reasonable enough compromise.
Let's go, boys#RedOctober pic.twitter.com/efG1RhWtXX
After wasting a classic Zack Wheeler performance and losing Game One of the NLDS at home, the Phillies were desperate to win Game Two. They turned to Cristopher Sanchez over Aaron Nola as their second starter, citing Sanchez's home/road splits and a desire to break up the two right-handed horses in the rotation.
Sanchez pitched reasonably well over five innings, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk. He made one costly mistake:
SWAGGY. OPPO.@MarkVientos_5 | #LGM pic.twitter.com/ow6EJZCINW
Jose Ruiz took over on the mound for the Phillies in the sixth. He also made a costly mistake:
YEAH PETE! 🎃💪 pic.twitter.com/0hWHBMiRpJ
Things didn't look good for our heroes. But their bats finally woke up in the bottom of the sixth. Trea Turner hit a two-out single, then Bryce Harper and Castellanos hit back-to-back home runs to tie the game at three.
BACK#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/zv4zvNZSH3
TO BACK#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/cBwCPUaA9n
Listen to that Citizens Bank Park crowd. Knowing what we know now, it makes your heart hurt.
The Mets counter-punched with a two-out home run of their own in the seventh. After striking out the first two New Yorkers, Orion Kerkering served up a deep ball to Brandon Nimmo. The Mets led, 4-3.
The Mets sure do know how to take a punch.
Almost immediately after losing the lead, Brandon Nimmo gives it right back to them with a bullet of a homer, 108 mph off the bat.
Mets 4, Phillies 3, top seven. pic.twitter.com/P844DfgPSQ
In the top of the eighth, the Phillies finally got a clean inning from their bullpen. Carlos Estevez kept the game within reach.
And in the bottom of the inning, Bryson Stott celebrated his 27th birthday with a two-run triple.
What. a. moment. pic.twitter.com/nuTXqMt96Q
Stott scored on a J.T. Realmuto fielder's choice, and the Phillies led 6-4.
But the Mets were relentless. Matt Strahm, who was fantastic for the Phillies all year, couldn't close this one out.
MARK TIES THIS GAME!!! pic.twitter.com/saXeu9LuAw
What a kick in the stomach that was.
But in the bottom of the ninth, Castellanos came up clutch with one last walk-off hit. (He had four during the regular season, posting a .326 batting average and .906 OPS in 47 ninth-inning plate appearances.)
FEELING GR8 pic.twitter.com/rDBIN8t7W9
And how 'bout this father/son moment?
THIS MOMENT ❤️ pic.twitter.com/1OF0greMRS
Incredible.
Now let's never speak of the 2024 NLDS again.
