It may be time to consider selling any assets you have in the stock market.
Economists around the country are predicting a “Black Monday”-level drop in the stock market next week, and like clockwork Nick Castellanos hit a home run to coincide with the impending tragedy, this time in the form of a grand slam.
The Phillies ultimately won the back-and-forth game 8-7, but it was a frustrating win.
The Phillies have struggled against starters this season, and through two innings, the game seemed to be following a similar script. Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow mowed down the Phillies’ lineup, allowing only one walk and one hit across the first six outs.
In the bottom of the third, the 2025 Phillies’ more conservative approach at the plate paid off, as Rafael Marchan, Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner all walked to load the bases. A Bryce Harper single and a Glasnow wild pitch tied the game at 2. Max Kepler subsequently walked to load the bases again for Castellanos’ grand slam.
Despite the offensive explosion in the 3rd inning, the Dodgers were able to fight their way back into the game on the back of a scorching-hot Teoscar Hernandez. Hernandez had two home runs and a double which kept the Dodgers within striking distance.
At the start of the 7th, Phillies Manager Rob Thomson had Jordan Romano relieve Jose Ruiz. The decision played out as expected. Romano allowed an Andy Pages single and a Shohei Ohtani walk. Mookie Betts followed up with a double before Orion Kerkering entered the game to try and save the day.
Kerkering tried his best to work with traffic on the bases, but utlimately allowed 3 runs to score, giving the Dodgers a 7-6 lead.
Fortunately, the Phillies offense responded with two runs of their own, coming from strong at bats from Bryson Stott and Edmundo Sosa, who started in favor of Alec Bohm.
Matt Strahm and Jose Alvarado closed out the game for the Phillies efficiently, putting away all six batters they faced. Kerkering earned the win and Alvarado got the save.
With the win, the Phillies took the series 2-1 against the defending champions, which bodes well for their standing in the National League.
It was an entertaining game, but one that further exposed some issues the team needs to address. The Phillies cannot not trust Jordan Romano—the biggest offseason addition for the bullpen—in high-leverage situations and Alec Bohm’s benching during the NLDS was not a fluke.
Sosa remains a fine answer to Bohm’s struggles for now while he’s hot, but he is at his best as a utility player. The Phillies’ best answer for the bullpen at this point is an improving Orion Kerkering. Romano can eat innings in blowouts, but if Kerkering continues to improve, he will need to take the high-leverage situations Romano was meant to fill. Between Kerkering, Strahm and Alvarado, the Phillies have at least three excellent arms in the bullpen.
The Phillies now travel to Atlanta to face the floundering Braves. The Braves have lost all but one of their first nine games. No team in MLB history has made the postseason after such a bad start. The series will be a good opportunity to increase the gap in the NL East.
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