3 Numbers to Remember: Phillies advance to NLDS behind Bohm, two aces

In the Phillies’ first playoff series in 11 year, it wasn’t the big splashes the they made last offseason that helped them sweep the Cardinals.

Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos combined to go 0-for-14 in the two games. Brad Hand and the injured Corey Knebel, who earned a combined $16 million in free-agency, didn’t appear in either game.

Instead it was contributions from players who have been here that paved the way. From Jean Segura’s go-ahead single in Friday’s game, to Aaron Nola’s dominant performance Saturday, to Alec Bohm’s all-around great showing all weekend, longer tenured Phillies, ones who have been here for the disappointment of the last few seasons, are the reason they will be hosting a playoff game in just five days.

Here are three key numbers to remember from the Phillies key series victory:

0 — Earned Runs Allowed By Aaron Nola And Zack Wheeler

There was never any question where the Phillies’ strengths lied heading into the postseason. They have two of the best starting pitchers in baseball, forming a top-heavy rotation that is consistent with the formula used to build the rest of the roster.

But Wheeler and Nola had never pitched in the postseason before, and there were questions — especially regarding Nola, who has shown struggles in big games down the stretch in previous seasons — whether the pair of starters would be able to do their job in October.

But both starters put any doubts to bed.

On Friday, Wheeler was magnificent, allowing just four baserunners in 6 1/3 scoreless innings. The 96 pitches thrown were the most for the right-hander in nearly two months.

On Saturday, just five days removed from his dominant performance in Houston that clinched a postseason spot for the Phillies, Nola tossed 6 2/3 scoreless frames. Between his two October starts, Nola has been brilliant, allowing seven baserunners and striking out 15 in 13 1/3 scoreless frames.

Five – Times On Base For Alec Bohm

Bohm has been the subject of much scrutiny during the last two seasons with the Phillies. After breaking out as a rookie in 2020, he has struggled to hold down the hot corner, and been streaky at best at the plate.

This weekend was an entirely different story for Bohm, who hit two well-earned doubles, walked twice and took a key hit-by-pitch during the ninth-inning rally in Game 1. But Bohm’s contributions didn’t end at the plate.

In several key situations, the ball was hit Bohm’s way. In addition to two highlight plays he made – one on a foul pop-up in Friday’s game, and the other on a sharp liner off the bat of Nolan Arenado on Saturday — Bohm always made the routine play look easy, and never stood in the way of a pitcher getting out of a jam.

Alec Bohm has been the Phillies’ best player so far this series. pic.twitter.com/OqNhowHWKw

— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) October 9, 2022

One – Home Run Hit

It’s no secret that the Phillies’ offense is built to score runs by way of the long ball. They hit 205 of them this season — which is good for sixth in all of baseball — and they employ the National League leader in home runs, Kyle Schwarber.

But home runs did not push them to the quick St. Louis Sweep. Bryce Harper’s 435-foot bomb in the fourth inning of Saturday’s game was an important tone-setter, but neither game was decided by the slugging potential of the lineup. Instead, it was patience at the plate in Friday’s game against a struggling Ryan Helsley that allowed the team to score an onslaught of runs.

This was enough against a Cardinals team that struggled at the plate in the NLWCS. But if the Phillies are going to make noise against the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS, they will likely need to start hitting for power.

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