The Philadelphia Phillies have looked unstoppable at home this postseason, and the raucous atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park has certainly helped. Teams have just looked rattled playing against an ultra-confident team with a fully engaged crowd for nine innings. That’s a tough combination to overcome.
But as the National League Championship Series moves to Arizona, a far different scene is expected at Chase Field. And Phillies fans are already doing their part to ensure an embarrassing turnout in Phoenix.
While get-in ticket prices for Game 1 and 2 in Philly pushed $400, a 2 p.m. local first pitch for Game 3 (and a 0-2 series deficit) had ticket prices plummeting to $15 at Chase Field. Many Phillies fans are expected to make the trip for the weekend, but those who couldn’t make it had a different idea.
They’ve decided to purchase D-backs tickets and just leave the seats empty.
Phillies fans are scooping up the cheap tickets for today's NLCS game in Arizona, just so Dbacks fans don't get them. 😂
A Phils fan in Australia called the @WIPMiddayShow today to tell them he bought four tickets: "It's my contribution to the World Series, hopefully victory." pic.twitter.com/Godbd11AO6
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) October 19, 2023
It’s almost unheard of to see this happening for a postseason game. But ticket prices are so cheap that Phillies fans are willing to eat $30 if it chips away at the atmosphere in Phoenix. As a relatively new franchise, the D-backs have long struggled to build a passionate fan base and often see fans of NL West rivals or popular teams (Cardinals, Cubs, Braves, Red Sox) outnumber them at Chase Field.
Yet, this idea was truly something else. And MLB fans had plenty of thoughts on the gamesmanship.