by 
Wet Guy Brandon Marsh goes wild on Schwarber after his solo home run in the second inning of World Series Game 3.
Chris Szagola/AP
Last night’s Game 3 was the most entertaining 7–0 I’ve ever seen. Despite the inconclusive result, it was impossible for even the most nonpartisan people watching at home to feel anything but wild glee.
This is the result Phillies they have on us. It’s the most relatable band of players I can remember. They’re having the time of their lives and aren’t afraid to show it – a refreshing departure from the buttoned-down buzz we get from most teams. They’re big, lovable guys who crush dingers and celebrate each one like they’ve just hit the last shot of beer pong after pounding Yuenglings all day.
The history of these Phillies is remarkable. I won’t dive into their incredible journey from the start of the season to where they are now, just two wins away from winning the World Series, because you probably know most of the points on the timeline. And what’s more, their achievements are much better understood through raw, visceral emotion.
Perhaps the best encapsulation of their season happened in the second inning of last night’s game. One of my roommates was watching the game with me, and when Wet Guy Brandon Marsh stepped up to the plate, I told him a revealing tidbit from this excellent piece of journalism by Jake Mintz, Céspedes Family BBQ and Fox Sports: The Phillies Center Player he pours water on his head between each inning.
Moments later, Marsh launched a solo home run, which at first, he said after the game, he didn’t think was gone. After this brief confusion, he continued his journey around the bases, his wet mane fluttering as he galloped toward the plate. As he approached the dugout, he let out a loud, spontaneous, inarticulate scream. My roommate’s reaction: “He’s kind of crazy.” Yes, yes it is. They all are. Well, we all are too. That’s why we love them.
Before we continue, I need to correct an error in yesterday’s newsletter. I got the days of the week mixed up when I wrote about the schedule after the rain. Game 5 will be played tomorrow night, Thursday, not Friday, which is travel day. Thanks to those of you who emailed and let me know so I could fix this in the web version a long time ago.
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1. THE OPENER
“We love conspiracy theories. They need to understand what paint by numbers is to art. Quick, easy fun. World Series Game 3 was one of those opportunities made for lipstick.”
This is how Tom Verducci begins his excellent column from last night about how the Phillies got screwed Star right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. It was such a hit that people immediately began to assume that Houston’s starter was throwing out his pitches. However, as Tom explains, McCullers didn’t overturn his pitches, even if the Philadelphia players knew what was coming.
How the Phillies Got Lance McCullers Jr. by Tom Verducci
He wasn’t throwing any pitches in his disastrous outing against the Phillies. They had just figured out how he wanted to put them.
2. ICYMI
Gold Glover Nick Castellanos, anyone?
Matt Slocum/AP
I love this story from Stephanie Apstein, about Nick Castellanos and his surprisingly great defense this season despite being a terrible right fielder his entire career. Castellanos admitted his mind wanders there during the regular season.
The playoffs are different though. He said it was “very similar” to Adderall and Vyvanse in that it focuses much better in the postseason. It’s a really interesting story about a most interesting player.
Inside the Dazzling Defense of Defensive Liability Nick Castellanos by Stephanie Apstein
The second-worst regular-season right fielder in the league can’t stop hitting incredible numbers in October.
And you should also check out Emma Baccellieri’s column from last night. Here, he explains how the baffling inaction of the Philadelphia Big Bois and Dusty Baker, along with me Sports Illustrated Copy Chief Julie Kliegman and I call it “Himbo Destiny,” we’ve completely turned this series around. At one point, it looked like the Phillies had no chance of winning. Now, they’re set up so well that it’s hard to imagine a world in which they lose.
The Phillies Erase the Astros’ Most Obvious World Series Advantage by Emma Baccellieri
Philadelphia is in full control of the Fall Classic after its lesser-heralded pitchers shut out Houston in Game 3.
3. TRIVIA NOTE by Matt Martell
Yes, that’s what I’ll call this section worth noting whenever it includes a trivia question. JT Realmuto is about as close to a five-tool player as you’ll find at his position. This year he became just the second catcher in MLB history with 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in the same season. Can you say the other one? (Bonus points if you can name the year of the 20/20 campaign.)
4. W2W4 by Will Laws
The Phillies will look to take a commanding 3-1 series lead with another home win at 8:03 p.m. ET tonight. Astros manager Dusty Baker made the decision to start Cristian Javier in Game 4 before a Game 3 rainout pushed back each remaining game in the series by a day, technically allowing Justin Verlander to start Wednesday in “regular” four days’ rest, if Baker wished. him to. But there are plenty of reasons for Baker to stick with Javier, especially since Verlander blew a 5-0 lead in Game 1 and could benefit from an extra day of rest, which he and most Astros players typically get during during the regular season in Houston. six person rotation.
Javier’s 33.2% strikeout rate is the highest among Astros starters, and his 5.4 H/9 IP strikeout rate is also the lowest on their staff – starters or relievers. In his last outing, he held the Yankees to just one hit over 5⅓ innings in Houston’s ALCS Game 3 win at Yankee Stadium, though he did walk three batters in New York. This reflects his sometimes paltry command, as his 8.9% walk rate is pretty high to begin with and often limits how deep he could work in games during the regular season. He’ll have to work carefully around the top of Philadelphia’s lineup, which features several patient hitters — especially if Aaron Nola, Javier’s Game 4 counterpart, lives up to his potential.
5. THE CLOSER by Emma Baccellieri
Phillies fans are having a ton of fun at Citizens Bank Park this postseason.
Kyle Ross/USA TODAY Sports
A lot has been said about how loud it gets at Citizens Bank Park in the postseason, and it’s all true. But even after being in the first five playoff games here, I was a little taken aback Tuesday—not by the crowd buzz for any of the home runs, no, but at the Castellanos catch in the first inning! It was almost as powerful as it was for Harper’s home run in Game 5 of the NLCS or the one Hoskins hit in Game 3 of the NLDS. Now this is IMPRESSIVE.
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