The Phillies started off the 2023 season on the wrong foot, but have since returned to the same winning play that got them to the World Series.
The latest chapter was a brief flashback to the conclusion of 2022, as the Phillies went down to Houston in a rematch with the Houston Astros. Unlike the last time they played in Houston, the Phillies walked away with a series win. Taking two games from the Astros to start their road trip.
Game 1 recap
The opening game of the Phillies and Astros rematch was shared with the 9 people who actually have Apple TV. Thousands of Philadelphians were upset when they tried to turn the game on and had to be told that it was an Apple TV exclusive.
As for the in-game action, Philly should be really proud of what they saw out of their ballclub. The Phillies would go on to win 3-1.
W: Aaron Nola (2-2)
L: Framber Valdez (2-3)
S: Jose Alvarado (5)
Like we never left
The Phillies clearly had something to prove when they stepped foot in Minute Maid Park on Friday night.
They wanted to show the Astros that this team is just as good as the one they saw in October. Kyle Schwarber wanted to prove that his power from the World Series is just as legit as it was then.
Schwarbs would hit a solo home run in the top of the first to get the Phillies on the board 1-0.
Later in the first inning, Nick Castellanos would make the greatest catch of his career (and he's had quite a few big ones for the Phillies). Castellanos would rob Alex Bregman of a home run in right field and sold the catch only as Nick Castellanos can.
New addition Cristian Pache drove in a run with an RBI double. Unfortunately, Pache was injured and be forced to leave the game. It was reported that he tore his right meniscus and will require surgery.
The ace arrives
Aaron Nola had his best game of the season Friday night against the Astros.
Nola went 8 innings, allowing 1 earned run and striking out 6 batters as he was having his way with Houston's lineup.
This start was Aaron's longest of the year and coming off a 7-inning performance in his last outing, it feels like Nola is starting to get his legs back underneath him.
Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm hits an RBI double against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Houston.AP Photo/David J. PhillipGame 2 recap
Game 2 of the Phillies-Astros was even more exciting than the first one. The Phillies' offense exploded in Game 2, and they had no trouble this time around with Cristian Javier, the man who no-hit them in Game 4 of the World Series.
The Phillies would win this game easily, by a final score of 6-1. The roughest part of this matchup was when Zack Wheeler hit Martin Maldonado with a pitch. The bullpens emptied, but there was no scuffle in this one. Both teams were warned and we did not see the first benches-clearing brawl of the season.
W: Zack Wheeler (3-1)
L: Cristian Javier (2-1)
Both Castellanos and Clemens went deep in this game, helping give Zack Wheeler a comfortable lead in this matchup.
Nick Castellano's power has returned and while he might not hit 30+ bombs this season, if Nick Castellanos can hit 25, the Phillies will be in a really good spot.
Revenge game
Zack Wheeler was removed after 5 innings during Game 6 of the World Series. The move was questioned then, and still remains questioned to this day. Wheeler did have a chance to get some revenge this time around in Game 2 of this series.
He went 6 innings without allowing a run and punching out 7 batters. He again shut down the Astros lineup and in consecutive games, the Phillies' two best pitchers delivered.
Game 3 recap
The series finale came under the bright lights of Sunday Night Baseball.
The Phillies battled the Astros, but trailed for the large majority of this game. JT Realmuto and Kody Clemens homered, but some poor defense and timely hitting by the Astros was just enough for Houston to win 4-3.
The Phillies left 8 runners in scoring position in this game. Star shortstop Trea Turner continues to struggle and is having one of the worst slumps of his career.
Bailey Falter got knocked around in this start, allowing 4 earned. The Phillies bullpen was strong but the Astros' pen was stronger, and the Phillies were unable to muster enough runs in this game. Their 4-game-win streak comes to an end, but they go 2/3 in the series and are 15-14 on the year.
W: Jose Urquidy (2-2)
L: Bailey Falter (0-5)
S: Ryan Pressly (3)
Bad night from Bailey
Bailey Falter took the mound against Jose Urquidy in Game 3. Falter struggled in the first inning, loading the bases without recording an out. Astros' first baseman Jose Abreu grounded into a double play but Houston took a 1-0 lead. Bailey got All-Star Kyle Tucker out to end the inning and escaped the jam with just 1 run.
In the top of the second, Falter allowed another run. This time unearned, as Brandon Marsh would drop a ball in center field on a difficult play. Some miscommunication with Kyle Schwarber forced Marsh into a slide, where the ball popped free. This run came around to score on Martin Maldonado's RBI double, that just got over the head of Nick Castellanos.
Falter allowed a home run in the 4th to Jake Myers. In the 5th, a couple of bloop shots and weak contact would reward the Astros with their 4th and final run-off of Falter.
Homeruns in Houston
After a quiet first inning, JT Realmuto got things going for the Phillies in the 2nd. A two-out, solo home run to left field tied the game. Kody Clemens joined the home run parade at the top of the 5th, cutting the Astros' lead at that point to 3-2.
Not enough offense
The Phillies only scored 3 runs in this game.
The two solo home runs and then Kyle Schwarber scoring on an error in the 8th was all the Phillies got.
Going 0-8 with Runners in Scoring Position is going to be tough to win any ballgame, but especially tough against the reigning champs. The homeruns were good to see, but not capitalizing when Houston gave them opportunities was tough to see.
