The rematch is set.
The Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves will compete again in the National League Division Series. Game 1 is 6:07 p.m. Saturday. Game 2 is 6:07 p.m. Monday.
Many “experts” picked the Braves to win the World Series last year, but the Phillies got in the way. It was an awesome series, and gave fans unforgettable memories.
But can the Phillies do that again?
The Braves won 104 games this season, which was the most in the MLB. After earning a first-round bye, the Braves will be rested and will have momentum with home-field advantage. But the Phillies also have momentum after a two-game and dominant sweep of the Miami Marlins.
The Phillies looked great in every way possible. In both games, Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola were amazing. Wheeler struck out eight and allowed five hits with one earned run in 6 2/3 innings, and Nola allowed just three hits and struck out three in seven shutout innings.
Both hit their pitches and were stellar on the mound. If those two can pitch like that again, that is probably two wins against the Braves, as long as the offense shows up.
The only negative thing I can say about the offense was the first inning in Game 1. Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner were on second and third with no outs to start the game, and the Phillies did not get any runs. That cannot happen this series. They might be able to get away with that against the Marlins, but not Atlanta..
But other than that? The offense was great. The Bryson Stott grand slam to break Game 2 wide open and help clinch the series was absolutely thrilling!
The Phillies finished with 18 hits in the Wild Card series. Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos each had a clutch doubles in Game 1. Bryce Harper blew a stop sign because he knew he could score. I wasn’t mad about that at all. I trust his decisions. I loved it all! Schwarber had an RBI double in Game 2, and Turner hit an RBI single. J.T. Realmuto homered. Overall, no one can complain about the offense.
The Phillies need to carry that to Truist Park in Atlanta.
The Braves went 8-5 against the Phils during the regular season. Some were close games that could have gone either way. The Braves finished 14-games ahead of the Phillies in the N.L. East, but the playoffs are a new season.
The pitching matchups have not been determined, but Game 1 will probably be Ranger Suarez or Tiajuan Walker to give Wheeler and Nola extra days to rest.
The Braves have nine players with 20-plus homers, and the Phillies have six. These two clubs have deep rosters. This will be an epic series.
“I think (we match up) pretty well,” the Rob Thomson said. “They have a great club, don’t sell them short at all. But I think we do match up. I think our offense can go against anybody’s. Our two starters, (Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola), they’re really pitching well right now. They’re on a roll, and hopefully they stay on a roll.
“Atlanta’s a good ball club. Don’t think that I don’t think they’re a good ball club. They’re really good. So we’re facing a tough test. But I think it will be a good series.”

#RED OCTOBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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