There was a brief period before Shohei Ohtani won the NL MVP when fans wondered if it should go to a New York Mets star instead.
Some argued that Francisco Lindor brought more valuable impact to the Mets than Ohtani brought to the Dodgers because, at the time, Los Angeles had so much star power on the roster. Additionally, unlike Ohtani, the Mets star added tremendous value as a defensive fielder as well.
Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos agreed that the MVP wasn’t Ohtani and played for the Mets, but his pick wasn’t Lindor.
Nick Castellanos says that Jose Iglesias deserved to win NL MVP over Shohei Ohtani
“If you’re looking at the MVP as having the most weight on creating wins for your team, there’s no other player that has had that much weight as Jose Iglesias” pic.twitter.com/vifn4Btx5Z
Castellanos argued that if you’re looking at the most valuable player, it’s who has the most weight on creating wins for your team.
In his estimation, no other player had as much weight as the pop star slash infielder. He said that Iglesias brought in the Latin spark and knock the ice off Lindor, got Mark Vientos comfortable as a rising third baseman, and gave a team that was directionless some purpose.
Iglesias was hardly the best player on his team, but Castellanos is at least making some fascinating points about what he believes is “valuable” from a teammate.
He added that the way “OMG” song and sign hit New York was the most important thing to happen to baseball. But when he was told that argument would not fly with the sabermetricians, he had the best response.
“I’m not a sabermetrician,” he said. “I’m a baseball player.”
Lindor led the Mets to take a 4-1 advantage over the rival Philadelphia Phillies, which helped his team eventually seal the deal and win the NLDS. This was a major relief not only to New York starting pitcher José Quintana but the entire roster for the Mets.
That includes Senga, who was the starting pitcher in the opening game of the series against Philadelphia. No one seemed more surprised at the sheer thrill of the moment and his reaction was probably recreated across many homes of fans who were watching this game.
Good morning, Winners! Welcome back to the Morning Win. Thanks so much for reading today. We appreciate you for spending your morning with us.
Uh, so, guys. The Phillies, huh?
The Mets closed the door on Philadelphia on Tuesday with a 4-1 win in Game 4. It was an incredible moment for the Mets, who have now officially won a playoff series for the first time since 2015. That’s a genuinely cool thing for their fans, certainly, who’ve endured so much since 1986.
But, listen. You want to talk about enduring? My goodness. Phillies fans, I am so sorry.
Being a Philadelphia sports fan right now has to be the most miserable experience in the world today. Just think about the last two years for those folks, man.
Start in October of 2022. The Phillies blow a 2-1 World Series lead to the Astros. Then, the Eagles look great. Jalen Hurts is incredible. The team makes it to the Super Bowl … and blows a 10-point second-half lead to the Chiefs. Then the 76ers can’t beat the Celtics. Then the 76ers can’t beat the Knicks. Joel Embiid also can’t stay healthy. Then the Eagles completely collapse after starting the season 10-1. And, now, again, the Phillies can’t win a playoff series.
What an awful stretch. As a D.C. sports fan (who also roots for the Eagles!), I’d like to say that the experience of every team in the city being awful is tacitly worse. But that’s not true! What Philadelphia fans are experiencing today is undoubtedly the worst experience in sports.
It’s reaching the mountaintop only to never climb over the mountain. It’s seeing the peak in the distance and never getting there. Not only are you falling off the cliff, but, also, someone is cutting your rope every single time. And you keep falling for it. Over and over and over again. I’d almost rather not climb the mountain at all.
Eagles fans will always have 2018. Phillies fans will always have 2008. But being left to wonder if it’s possible ever to reach those heights again over and over cannot be fun.
Philly diehards, I do not envy you today. All the best to you and yours.
Best season opener ever
(Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
As a normal human being, I can’t imagine making one save in the net. That hockey puck hitting the wrong spot after a slapshot is the stuff of nightmares.
So, naturally, you can imagine that saving 47 shots is simply a no-go for someone like me. That’s why, in my eyes, Sam Montembeault is a superhero today.
Rafael Nadal will forever be a legend. The tennis superstar officially announced his retirement on Thursday. He’ll be calling it a career after he plays the Davis Cup Finals in Spain this year, he said in a video posted on social media.
“The reality is that it has been some difficult years. These last two especially,” Nadal said. “I don’t think I’ve been able to play without limitations.”
The limitations he’s referring to are the injuries he’s endured over the last few years, including an abdominal tear in 2022, a hip and foot injury in 2023 and a thigh tear in 2024.
Nadal’s illustrious career is the stuff of legend. He’s won:
— 22 Grand Slam titles
— A record 14 French Open titles with a 112-4 record at the tournament
— 92 career overall titles
— An Olympic gold medal
He also spent 209 weeks in his career as the world’s No. 1 player on the ATP tour during his prime. He was going toe to toe with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic and winning.
Simply put, he’s one of the greatest to ever do it. Thanks for all of the memories, Rafa. We’ll cherish them forever.
Whatever team MLB fans cheer for, they all can agree that this year’s playoffs have been incredible so far. We haven’t even reached the LCS yet. And Notre Dame fans can say one of their own has contributed to that greatness.
[autotag]Matt Vierling[/autotag] played three seasons for the Irish. Now in his fourth major-league season, he’s after a World Series ring. He had a chance at one with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022, but they came up only two wins short. The following season, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers, one of many hot teams right now.
In Game 3 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians, the Tigers had a 3-0 lead with two outs in the top of the seventh inning and runners on first and second. David Fry, who represented the tying run, hit a hard line drive to the left side of the field that was certain to go for extra bases and probably score both runners.
Vierling, who had driven in one of the Tigers’ runs via a sacrifice fly, was right there at third base though, and he timed his jump just enough that he took the hit away and got his team out of the inning.
The 3-0 score stood, and the Tigers are one win away from advancing to their first ALCS in 11 years. Hopefully, we see more from Vierling this postseason.
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Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet tour continued on Tuesday night with the “Please Please Please” singer performing in Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Arena. The short-statured and charismatic performer has had an incredible summer with multiple top hits, and now that popularity has filled venues around the country.
Although the Philadelphia Phillies were in New York City for Game 3 of the NLDS against the Mets, Carpenter was still dressed for the occasion. At one point in the concert, she donned a very sparkly Phillies jersey over her costume.
Carpenter performed her massive hit single “Espresso” while wearing the jersey, much to the delight of the crowd.
Nick Castellanos has given the Philadelphia Phillies life, sending their NLDS series with the New York Mets back to Queens tied 1-1 after hitting a walk-off single in the ninth inning of Game 2.
And who did Castellanos run to in the stands after his teammates mobbed him on the field? His son Liam, of course.
Castellanos’ son has captured the hearts of many in Philadelphia and across the sports world during the Phillies’ last few playoff runs with his joyful reactions to his father’s performances. And on Sunday, Castellanos delivered again for the Phillies, hitting a walk-off ball to left field in the ninth inning to put Philadelphia on top 7-6.
But once the on-field celebrations were through, Castellanos sprinted over to Liam sitting behind home plate to share in the moment of joy.
The Mets defeated the Milwaukee Brewers and advance to play the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2024 NLDS. Here’s how to buy tickets:
The New York Mets never say die.
The Mets capped off a wild opening round of the playoffs with a dramatic come-from-behind win in a decisive Game 3 against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Pete Alonso hit a three-run home run in the ninth inning to send the Mets to the National League Division Series, where they will take on a division rival in the Philadelphia Phillies.
Limited tickets still remain to best-of-five game NLDS in both Philadelphia and New York.
[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Phillies vs. Mets playoff tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/click/camref:1101l3wQsP/pubref:SMGMLBPlayoffsPhilliesNLDS/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stubhub.com%2Fphiladelphia-phillies-tickets%2Fperformer%2F4344″]
How to buy Phillies vs Mets NLDS tickets
Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 5 in Philadelphia at 8:38 p.m. ET – Shop tickets
Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 6 in Philadelphia at 8:03 p.m. ET – Shop tickets
Game 3: Tuesday, Oct. 8 in New York, time TBD – Shop tickets
Game 4 (if necessary): Wednesday, Oct. 9 in New York, time TBD – Shop tickets
Game 5 (if necessary): Friday, Oct 11 in Philadelphia, time TBD – Shop tickets
Philadelphia Phillies vs Mets playoff ticket prices
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National League Division Series schedule
Saturday, Oct. 5 – Game 1:
New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies – 4:08 p.m. ET
San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers – 8:38 p.m. ET
Sunday, Oct. 6 – Game 2:
New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies – 4:08 p.m. ET
San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers – 8:03 p.m. ET
Tuesday, Oct. 8 – Game 3:
Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres – TBD
Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets – TBD
Wednesday, Oct. 9 – Game 4 (if necessary)
Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres- TBD (if necessary)
Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets- TBD (if necessary)
Friday, Oct. 11 – Game 5 (if necessary)
San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers – TBD (if necessary)
New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies – TBD (if necessary)
The NLCS is scheduled to being on Sunday, Oct. 13 and conditional tickets are available now for both teams. If your team advances to the NLCS, you’re in! If not, you will receive a refund.
Want to watch Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies in person during the 2024 postseason? Limited playoff tickets still remain.
Welcome back to Red October.
The Philadelphia Phillies clinched the National League East earlier this week and with it a guaranteed home playoff game to start their 2024 NL playoffs.
While the playoff matchups are not set in stone, the most likely scenario is that the Phillies earn a first-round bye and host Games 1 and 2 of the NLDS to begin their playoff run.
If the Phillies clinch one of the top two seeds in the National League, they will earn a bye to the National League Division Series and will host the first, second, and hypothetical fifth and final game of the series.
As of publication, the Phillies sit 2.5 games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers and could clinch a first-round bye as early as Wednesday night. If the Phillies earn one of the top-two seeds in the NL, their home playoff schedule would likely line up with the following:
[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Philadelphia Phillies playoff tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/ngdyDX8″]
Philadelphia Phillies MLB playoff tickets
You can buy conditional playoff tickets right now, meaning if the game happens then you’re in, and if the game does not happen, you will receive a refund.
As of publication here are the cheapest ticket prices for each Wild Card game.
One of those invitations actually came from the Phillies. Philly television broadcaster Tom McCarthy invited Clark to call one of their games when she finds some free time, via the team’s TikTok account.
During media availability on Saturday, Clark said her boyfriend, Butler men’s basketball assistant Connor McCaffrey, grew up a Phillies fan, which could be a sign she takes up the team on its offer.
Clark also said her in-moment broadcasting made her appreciate the professionals in the business.
Besides the Phillies, Clark got an invitation to do some broadcasts from the Milwaukee Brewers, the MLB team the Phillies were playing, and the minor league Savannah Bananas.
Maybe one day we’ll get Clark on a baseball broadcast?
Perhaps Caitlin Clark has a future in the broadcast booth after her playing career.
Caitlin Clark’s skill on a basketball court is undeniable.
The former Iowa superstar and current Indiana Fever phenom is the runaway favorite to win the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award, and she’s set the WNBA record for assists in a single season as well as for points by a rookie.
But it seems hooping isn’t Clark’s only talent. Perhaps she has a future in the broadcast booth, as well.
In a hilarious video posted on TikTok by Clark’s Fever teammate Lexi Hull, she shows off her play-by-play skills, providing commentary for a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers.
Despite not knowing most of the players, it’s hard to deny she’s got the tone and cadence down.
Maybe Clark can make an appearance in the booth during the MLB postseason if she has some spare time following the WNBA season as Indiana clinched a playoff berth for the first time in seven years, ending the league’s longest drought.
