No. 2: The biggest hit of the Phillies' 2024 postseason
After being stymied by Mets pitching in Game 1 of the 2024 NLDS, more of the same appeared to be happening part way through Game 2 on Oct. 6. Not only were the Phillies' bats mainly silent, their normally reliable pitching staff had failed them through the first two games, particularly their bullpen.
Nevertheless, going into the bottom of the eighth inning down 4-3, Philadelphia wasn't about to mail it in without putting up a fight. After a Turner strikeout to start the inning, Harper followed it up with an easy four-pitch walk. Behind him was Nick Castellanos, who came through with a single to put runners on first and third.
Then up came Bryson Stott. Stott had been mired in quite the offensive slump heading into the playoffs. In his final 17 games, he batted just .213 with a .491 OPS, along with just five runs scored, one double, zero home runs and three RBI. He had already gone 0-for-3 in Game 1 against the Mets and had struck out twice already in Game 2 prior to the at-bat.
However, Stott battled hard to work his way to a full count. Then, on the sixth pitch of the at-bat, he delivered his biggest hit of the season, which probably turned out to be the biggest hit of the entire Phillies' postseason in the end, given the circumstances. In doing so, it suddenly gave Philadelphia some life in the series and the belief that they could actually score and win again.
BRYSON STOTT! ON HIS BIRTHDAY!
— MLB (@MLB) October 6, 2024
TWO-RUN TRIPLE! PHILLIES LEAD! #NLDS pic.twitter.com/SeXkBQzDdR
No. 1: The biggest win of the Phillies 2024 postseason
As big as the Stott hit was, the Phillies bullpen managed to blow it again in the top of the ninth inning, allowing the Mets to tie the game on a clutch two-run homer by third baseman Mark Vientos off of reliever Matt Strahm.
However, that was needed to help set up more of the dramatic in the bottom of the ninth inning for the Phillies. Who else would come through for the team than perhaps their best offensive player in the second half of the 2024 season in Castellanos? With two outs, two strikes in the count and the winning run at second, Castellanos did what he always does best by coming through and delivering the much-needed game-winning hit. His single helped the Phillies to the improbable 7-6 come-from-behind win over the Mets for their biggest, but sadly only win of the 2024 postseason.
NICK CASTELLANOS WINS IT FOR THE @PHILLIES!!! #NLDS pic.twitter.com/vM14etkamy
— MLB (@MLB) October 6, 2024
Although Philadelphia eventually bowed out of the playoffs in four games to the Mets to conclude their season, these everlasting moments and memories from 2024 will forever remain in the hearts of the Phillies and their faithful to cherish and appreciate.