PHILADELPHIA — Phillies manager Rob Thomson gathered his relievers after batting practice on Saturday to inform them of his plan. He wanted them to go early to the bullpen.
“He told every reliever, ‘Go early to the bullpen,’” Phillies left-hander José Alvarado said. “I’m going crazy today. Not crazy, like aggressive. And the result? He made it, using a lot of relievers today.”
Thomson’s pitching plan worked perfectly as the Phillies played a nearly flawless game to defeat the Braves, 3-0, in Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Truist Park. They knew they had to not only beat Braves’ ace Spencer Strider, who had dominated them in previous regular-season starts, but also stop one of the best offensive teams in baseball history.
The Phillies accomplished both tasks, getting to Strider and shutting out the Braves, who failed to score at home for the first time since August 28, 2021.
“That’s one of the best teams in baseball, one of the best offenses and one of the best starters in the game, and we were able to take them down [in] Game 1,” Bryce Harper said.
This result is significant because the Phillies will now have Zack Wheeler on the mound in Game 2 and Aaron Nola in Game 3, both at Citizens Bank Park.
“I think everyone is locked in on heading home 2-0,” Nick Castellanos said.
Phillies left-hander Ranger Suárez started Game 1, but he was intentionally taken out early. The Braves had been performing exceptionally well against left-handed pitchers this season, so the Phillies wanted to neutralize them with high-velocity pitches from their bullpen. Their relievers had the highest fastball average in MLB this season.
“You hate to take a guy out,” Thomson said. “He’s pitching well. He knows he’s pitching well.”
The Phillies believed that their bullpen could handle the Braves’ lineup, and they were proven right. Each reliever put up a zero on the scoreboard.
“Everything worked out,” Castellanos said.
Strider had historically dominated the Phillies in regular-season starts, but they managed to get to him in Game 1. Bryson Stott’s RBI single gave them a 1-0 lead, and Bryce Harper’s solo home run extended it to 2-0.
“Strider, man, he’s one of the best in the game, if not the best right now, striking guys out,” Harper said. “He had a phenomenal year, so it’s always a tough at-bat. You know he’s going to come at you and throw his best at you. So just trying to get a pitch over and was able to get the slider up and do some damage.”
The Phillies’ defense also played a crucial role in securing the win. Trea Turner made a remarkable diving catch and turned it into an inning-ending double play.
“I think it’s the best play I’ve ever seen,” Domínguez said. “The game, the moment like that. That was incredible.”
The Phillies’ victory in Game 1 marked their seventh consecutive postseason win in Game 1, making it the fifth-best streak in MLB history.
“You could feel the moment,” Turner said.