Phillies embark on road to playoff redemption
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Bryce Harper swings the bat during the Sept. 18 game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Photo: John Fisher/Getty Images
Cue the Phillies' new playlist: Red October starts this weekend.
Why it matters: The Phils are looking for redemption in their third-straight playoff appearance after losing the National League Championship Series and World Series in back-to-back years.
State of play: The Phillies will take on the New York Mets at 4:08pm Saturday in Citizens Bank Park for Game 1 of the best-of-five National League Division Series.
- Game 2 is set for 4:08pm Sunday.
Let's be honest: It's World Series or bust.
- Phillies owner John Middleton set that expectation at the start of the season when he said — "I want my f--kin' trophy back."
🗣️ What they're saying: The Phillies have one of the easiest paths to the World Series, per Inquirer columnist David Murphy.
- "The Phillies' biggest strength over the last three years has been their ability to remain in the moment," Murphy says. "The test of these next few days is whether they can remain there."
🧮 By the numbers: The team just secured its first National League Division title under skipper Rob Thomson (and first since 2011).
- The Phillies notched a 95-67 season, their best finish in more than a decade.
👀 And they ended with a winning record against the Mets (7-6).
Between the lines: The Phils have shed their "underdog" status.
- They finished with the second-best record in baseball, earning them a first-round bye — unlike the past two years when they had to battle through the Wild Card series.
Zoom in: Now all eyes are on slugger Bryce Harper — and for good reason.
- "The Showman" has shined at the Bank during the playoffs over the last two years — with a .316 average and 11 homers.
- And Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola will lead the Phillies' potent starting rotation, which ranked 11th in the league in ERA this season.
🎰 Follow the money: FanDuel Sportsbooks had the Los Angeles Dodgers at slightly better odds of winning the National League pennant over the Phils, as of Thursday.
🎶 1 fun thing: The team changed up its post-win playlist this year, tapping Armentani Brothers to curate a new mix.
- The North Philly DJs' 50-minute playlist includes a remix of "Dancing on My Own," the Phils' playoff anthem for the past two years.
☀️ Forecast: If you're going to the games, plan for prime October baseball weather — sunny with highs in the 70s.
🔮 Don't forget: As the fans go, so goes the team, tarot card reader Lexa Lizzi of Philly's South Street Circle told us in March.
📅 What's next: Game 3 is Tuesday, with Games 4 and 5 set for Wednesday and Friday, if necessary.