Philadelphia Phillies star Nick Castellanos spoke candidly following the team’s 7-2 blowout loss to the New York Mets in Game 3 of the National League Division Series.
The crushing defeat has left the Phillies on the brink of elimination. The team is now one loss away from yet another early postseason exit, continuing a troubling pattern for the franchise.
You certainly get the feeling that it would sting a little extra to get bounced by the hated Mets.
Castellanos, who went 1-for-4 in Tuesday’s game, shared his thoughts on the high-stakes situation the Phillies now face. In his signature straightforward style, he likened the team’s precarious position to confronting mortality.
“This is the closest to death we’re ever going to get. So, in a way, we should feel the most alive,” Castellanos aid. “We’re only promised tomorrow. This is what we’ve been working since spring training for, to have this opportunity.
“This is just one more time to show out and leave everything on the field. And however the dice are going to land, it’s going to land.”
With the Phillies down 2-1 in the series and just one loss away from elimination, Castellanos emphasized the need to fully embrace the challenge ahead.
“I think instead of just flushing it and forgetting it, I think, right now, it’s really important to embrace what the situation is,” he continued.
“If we lose, we’re going home, baseball is over for us. It’s a great opportunity, because if we’re able to come in and scrape out a win here, I know that they don’t want to get back to Philly for a Game 5.”
Of course, the “they don’t want to get back to Philly for a Game 5” line has become a story in its own right. You can guarantee the Mets will use that as extra motivation.
Having said that, Castellanos is correct that the Mets would love to avoid a do-or-die Game 5 in Philly at all costs. (Even the most die-hard Mets fan has to admit that would be an extremely tough task.)
Castellanos has been one of the few bright spots in the Phillies’ struggling offense throughout the series.
He’s hitting .385 with one home run, three RBIs, and an impressive 1.000 OPS, including a dramatic walk-off RBI single in Game 2.
However, outside of Castellanos and Bryce Harper, who is batting .333 with a .538 on-base percentage, the Phillies’ lineup has been largely ineffective. The rest of the team is hitting just .158.
The middle of the order has been particularly disappointing, with the five through nine hitters going a combined 3-for-32 in the series.
This offensive slump is reminiscent of last year’s NLCS, when the Phillies faltered in Games 6 and 7 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, leading to their surprising elimination.
Since Game 6 of that series, the Phillies’ offense has scored two or fewer runs in four of their last five postseason games.
With elimination looming, the Phillies need to find a spark to keep their season alive as they prepare for Game 4 tonight against the Mets. First pitch is set for 5:08pm EST.
What are your thoughts on the series? … Are we indeed heading back to Philly for Game 5? … Or is it over tonight???
With the way the Mets are playing, you get the feeling that if they can just get by the Phillies, they would have a great chance to make it to the World Series – and possibly win it…