Nick Castellanos hits two home runs as the Phillies advance to the NLCS

PHILADELPHIA – In a year of big payrolls, missing the postseason and 100-win teams getting eliminated early, the stars are on the Philadelphia Phillies proved that free agency still works. Led by Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and hero from game 4 Nick Castellanosthe Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves in their division series matchup for the second straight year.

Castellanos, who signed a five-year, $100 million contract before the 2022 season, hit two home runs on Thursday 3:1 clear wina day after he did the same in Game 3. He is the first player in postseason history with consecutive multihomer games.

“When we were 16, 17 years old and playing for Team USA, he did the same thing,” a champagne-soaked, shirtless Harper said after the win. “At the biggest tournaments, on the biggest stage, that’s Nick Castellanos. And that’s why he’s here.”

A day later, Castellanos signed with the Phillies Kyle Schwarber signed for $79 million. A year later it was Turner’s turn. Last winter, he signed a $300 million contract – $30 million less than Harper signed in 2019. The money was well spent. Harper hit two home runs in Game 3, while Turner added one in Games 3 and 4.

“[President of baseball operations] “Dave Dombrowski traveled a lot,” owner John Middleton said during the celebration. “He understands.” You have to trust Dave. He knows the character of the man you are signing.”

Dombrowski added: “I always felt that any good club must have a core of experienced players and a group of young up-and-coming players. It begins.” [with] Bryce, but we added to that mix.

The free agents fueled the series victory over the Braves, but it was one of these young players who could have saved Game 4. With the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh Ronald Acuna Jr. Hit a ball to center field, the Phillies rookie Johan Rojas chased and caught as he jumped into the wall. It thrilled the sellout crowd at Citizens Bank Park – one of the more hostile environments in the game.

“This is the most incredible home-field advantage in baseball right now,” Dombrowski said. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

The Phillies steamrolled the Braves in Games 3 and 4 – first by letting a young starter take over Bryce Elder followed on Wednesday with three home runs against Ace Spencer Strider in the clinch. Philadelphia gave Atlanta a taste of its own medicine, outscoring the Braves 11-3 in the series, including nine in the two home games, setting a postseason record for home runs in consecutive games. The Braves led the MLB in long balls during the regular season but came up short in this series.

“Well, first of all, Trea, Harp and Nick, I can’t tell you how big they are at our club right now,” said manager Rob Thomson. “I don’t think the moment even gets to them. I actually think the moment helps Harp a little bit. But Trea was incredible. The home run he hit today was huge. Nick’s two home runs were huge.” Harp’s two home runs yesterday were great. These guys just went one better.”

Meanwhile, questions remain unanswered for the Braves, who led the majors with 104 regular-season wins. For example, why did they dominate the regular season but can’t make it against their division rival in the postseason?

“That’s a good question,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I wish I had the secret recipe for this. I feel like they suddenly made everyone healthy last year. And they have great players on this team. Yes, I don’t know. I really don’t know.”

The Braves may also be wondering how their mid-series controversy affected the outcome. Shortstop Orlando Arcia had to answer questions after yelling “Atta-boy Harper” in the Braves’ clubhouse at the end of Game 2 when the Phillies star was doubled from first base. Harper’s stare at Arcia after he hit two home runs on Wednesday immediately went viral, prompting Arcia to tell reporters that Harper “shouldn’t hear it.”

This quote ended up on the back of a T-shirt worn by a Phillies player during the post-Game 4 celebration.

“It’s fun,” second baseman Bryson Stott said. “I don’t know what it did for us, but the audience loved it.”

The crowd also loved Castellanos’ record-breaking home runs. After his second goal Thursday, he stood on the scoreboard, enjoying the spotlight that usually goes to Harper or others.

“Anytime you have 46,000 people cheering you on and trying to push the other team out of their comfort zone, that’s a huge advantage,” Castellanos said.

The environment will make for an interesting National League Championship Series as the Phillies will host a young team Arizona Diamondbacks team in Game 1 on Monday. Led by their strong veterans, the Phillies are one step away from returning to the World Series for the second straight year. This time they want to close the deal.

“Eight left,” Dombrowski said. “In the beginning there are our stars.”