Nick Castellanos: ‘Closest to death we’re ever gonna get, so in a way we should feel the most alive’
NEW YORK — Win or lose, Nick Castellanos never disappoints in front of the mic.
After the Phillies lost 7-2 to the Mets Tuesday — putting them one game away from elimination — Castellanos was asked about the mindset that the team has now as they try to force a Game 5 back at Citizens Bank Park.
“Well as a group, this is the closest to death we’re ever gonna get,” Castellanos said. “So in a way, we should feel the most alive. We’re only promised tomorrow, and this is what we’ve been working since Spring Training for, to have this opportunity. It’s just one more time to show out and leave everything on the field and however the dice is gonna land it’s gonna land.”
Castellanos’ approach in the top of the sixth inning of Game 3 can certainly be questioned. After Sean Manaea walked Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner, Bryce Harper was struck out on three pitches in an uncharacteristically poor at-bat. Castellanos’ at-bat wasn’t as bad, but he swung at all three pitches he saw, ultimately lining a ball to second baseman Jose Iglesias that was caught. The play ended up with Schwarber being doubled up off of second to end the inning.
Overall, though, Castellanos has been one of the most productive hitters for the Phillies this series. He singled to score Schwarber in the top of the eighth inning, bringing the Phillies within four runs. He had a massive Game 2 performance, including a home run and walk-off single. If the Phillies lose this series, it won’t be on Castellanos.
However, Castellanos – like much of the core on the Phillies — is in his early 30s. This group will only get so many cracks at winning a World Series together, and they may not have a better opportunity than this season.
We’ll see if the Phillies are able to avoid the beckoning white light Wednesday night and live to see another day.
MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION
- Phillies 2024 Walk-Up Songs
- Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber Climbing Up All-Time Postseason Home Run Leaderboard
- Dave Dombrowski Not Over Phillies’ 2023 NLCS Loss: ‘They’ll Linger For The Rest Of My Life’
- For Bryson Stott, The Postseason A Chance For Much-Needed Reset
- Is The Window For The Phillies Closing? Dave Dombrowski Doesn’t Think So.
- Zack Wheeler Thinks 2024 Regular Season Was His Strongest
- Phillies Reportedly Shut Down Idea Of Including Top Pitching Prospect In Trade For Frontline Starter
- Top Prospect Justin Crawford Eager To Join Phillies After Award-Winning Season: ‘I Want To Be Here Next Year’
- Aramark Employees At CBP Are On Strike. How Did It Get To This Point?
- Local Pitcher Fulfills Dream As Savannah Bananas Come To Philly: ‘It’s Pretty Surreal’
