Wasting Wheeler's Game 1 gem feels even worse after NLDS Game 3 debacle

The Philadelphia Phillies have gotten accustomed to road games over the last three postseasons with their record booting them out of home-field advantage. The Phillies have done most of their winning at home and again leaves fans questioning if the Phillies still have the fight in them with their backs against the wall.

Game 3 was not the dagger for either side in a five-game series, but with a 2-1 lead, it forces the loser of Game 3 to win out the last two to advance to the NLCS.

The 2024 Phillies have been a tale of two teams both offensively and pitching-wise. One of the big concerns down the stretch was how uncompetitive the lineup was which ultimately had them go 33-32 in their last 65 games.

Game 3 reared the ugly head of everything that had been wrong with the Phillies in the second half. Heading into the eighth inning, the NL East champs had done little to threaten the Mets, only scraping together two hits, one of which resulted in an out with Alec Bohm getting thrown out at second base, and a couple of free bases. They would plate two in the inning, but the momentum started too late as they fell 7-2.

Wasting Wheeler's Game 1 gem feels even worse after NLDS Game 3 debacle

The sting hurts that much more after a fumbled Game 1 with Zack Wheeler on the mound. The Phillies had the perfect opportunity to go up early behind one of the best pitchers in the sport. A Game 1 win would have completely changed the narrative and proved why the Phillies were the team to beat.

Instead, they wasted the best year of Wheeler's career and now face the reality that their season can end in Queens on Wednesday with no more Red October. Wheeler went seven innings, allowed one hit, four walks and struck out nine in his start.

If the Phillies have anything going for them, it's their inconsistency, ironically. As we have seen, one game doesn't necessarily dictate the next. Their horrific plate appearances in Game 3, showing swing-and-miss and a terrible approach, can be put in the rearview mirror, just like the switch from Game 1 to 2.

Phillies banking on Ranger Suárez in Game 4

Now, Game 4 is just hours away with the season on the brink of elimination. They must win to take the series back to Philly for a Game 5. Ranger Suárez is set to take the mound against José Quintana. Suárez has struggled as of late, sporting a 5.74 ERA in his last seven outings, per Paul Hagen of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Manager Rob Thomson did also hint at the possibility of Wheeler coming out of the bullpen, with it being win-or-go-home. Suárez has had good numbers in the postseason so there is a glimmer of hope still with a 3-1 record with a 1.62 ERA in 33 1/3 innings, per MLB.com's Paul Casella.

Maybe there's some truth to what Nick Castellanos said after Game 3.

"Well, as a group, this is the closest to death we're ever going to get," Castellanos said. "So in a way, we should feel the most alive. We're only promised tomorrow. This is what we've been working since spring training for, to have this opportunity."

By any means, win today and hopefully give Wheeler the ball in Game 5 and close this thing out with the postseason Cy Young on the mound at a rocking Citizens Bank Park.

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