Categories: 2023 Postgame Recaps

Nick Castellanos continues to hit, and more takeaways from a dramatic win

Nick Castellanos has had an excellent 2023 season. (Cheryl Pursell/Phillies Nation)

After defeating the Blue Jays Tuesday evening at Citizens Bank Park, the Philadelphia Phillies entered Wednesday looking for a sweep of Toronto during the two-game set.

For most of the afternoon, it appeared that the Phillies would end up on the wrong side of a pitcher’s duel between Kevin Gausman and Zack Wheeler. But in the ninth inning, the Phillies got to Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano, with an RBI by J.T. Realmuto forcing extras.

And after Craig Kimbrel escaped the top half of the 10th unscathed, an errant throw by Bo Bichette on what should have been an inning-ending double play allowed Edmundo Sosa to score the winning run, earning the Phillies a two-game sweep.

Here’s a few takeaways from a dramatic win by the Phillies:

Bryson Stott’s Bat Has Gone Cold

For all the hand-wringing of Kyle Schwarber in the leadoff spot, Bryson Stott hasn’t exactly been locked in himself.

After hitting .319 with a .775 OPS in April, Stott has cooled down considerably so far in May, as 3-for-29 (.103) this month. He was 0-for-5 Wednesday, unable to even get a sacrifice bunt down in the top of the 10th.

And while there are qualities to like about Stott in theory as a leadoff hitter — he fouls lots of pitches off, generally puts the ball in play — he has just four hits in 20 at-bats this season when leading off a game (.200). In terms of leading off innings, Stott’s numbers are even worse, as he is 7-for-37, good for just a .189 batting average.

Schwarber, especially when he’s not in the midst of a hot streak, is a flawed option to be your leadoff hitter. But to this point, Stott himself has struggled quite a bit hitting out of that spot as well.

Nick Castellanos Just Continues To Hit

On April 26, outfielder Nick Castellanos gave Phillies Nation the money quote of the season so far, and it’s become something of a meme:

But after a disappointing first season in Philadelphia from an individual sense, it’s become increasingly difficult to write off Castellanos’ production in 2023 as a small sample size. The 31-year-old is more comfortable with his surroundings in his second season with the Phillies, and he’s been arguably the best offensive player on the team during the 2023 campaign.

Castellanos singled back up the middle in the bottom of the first inning and reached base on an infield single in the ninth, accounting for two of the seven hits the Phillies had. He is now hitting .322 with an .887 OPS.

And for good measure, Castellanos — who is tied with Paul Goldschmidt for the NL lead in doubles — robbed Matt Chapman — baseball’s leader in doubles — of extra bases with this great play in the sixth:

Shibe Vintage Sports Notes

Zack Wheeler always seems to pitch well in day games, and Wednesday was no different. The 32-year-old limited the Blue Jays to just three hits and one run over seven innings, while striking out seven batters. A fifth-inning home run by Brandon Belt was the only blemish on Wheeler’s resume this afternoon.

Kevin Gausman continues to be one of the more underrated players in the sport, despite top-10 Cy Young Award finishes in each of the last two seasons. The former first-round pick struck out nine Phillies and allowed only three hits in six shutout innings Wednesday.
After selling out the first four games of the homestand, the Phillies had over 31,000 fans at Citizens Bank Park for a late-afternoon game against the Blue Jays Wednesday. Last year’s World Series run has definitely led to an increase in attendance early in 2023.

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