That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies top five rivals of all-time: Which teams are hated the most?

By Kerry Kauffman

PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 12: Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies high-fives Jimmy Rollins #11 after scoring a 10th inning run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at Chase Field on May 12, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 12: Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies high-fives Jimmy Rollins #11 after scoring a 10th inning run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at Chase Field on May 12, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 2: Washington Nationals fans express their feelings to Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper during the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals on April 2, 2019, at Nationals Park, in Washington D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 2: Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals

The rivalry between the teams dates back to the later 1970s into the early 1980s when the Expos challenged the Phillies for NL East prominence.  The Phillies and the Expos were neck and neck in the standings entering the final weekend of the 1980 season.

Steve Rogers and Steve Carlton battled numerous of times, but on October 4 with the Phillies holding a one-game lead, it was Larry Christenson getting the ball against Rogers. With the score tied at four heading to the tenth, Mike Schmidt hit a blast deep into the seats in left field to give the Phillies a 6-4 lead and ultimate win to clinch the NL East.

The following season, the Phillies were off to a great start, and then the MLB strike hit.  Upon return, the season was divided into two half with each half winner facing off for the division title. The Phillies took the first half and the Expos the second half.  This time the Expos came out on top, ending the Phillies hopes of a repeat World Series appearance.

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Except for the Phillies 1993 NL Championship team, neither franchise was part of the national scene for much of the next two decades.  When the Expos moved to Washington and became the Nationals in 2004, the rivalry began to heat up again, due to proximity and better caliber teams facing off.

The Phillies clinched the NL East in 2008 in a win over the Nationals and dominated the division from 2007 through 2011.

Then the Nationals had their run, taking the division in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017.  As is the case with most rivalries, Bryce Harper was a hated man by Phillies fans during his time in Washington and now as part of the Phillies receives a barrage of boos in Washington, as the teams battle for a wild card spot this season.

Expect this rivalry to continue and heat up for years to come.

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