Kyle Schwarber sets Phillies playoff home run record with explosive start to NLDS
The Phillies slugger has done it again, setting a playoff record with a massive first-inning blast against the Mets.
The Philadelphia Phillies were looking for a big start to their intense matchup against their division rivals, the New York Mets, in Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday.
They certainly got a big start, literally right off the bat. Phillies star designated hitter Kyle Schwarber made some history when he launched a big-time home run off Mets starter Kodai Senga on the third pitch to lead off the first inning. He took a 96 mph fastball up the zone and deposited it into the second deck in right field at Citizens Bank Park.
According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Schwarber’s blast had an exit velocity of 115.8 mph, which was his hardest-hit homer since Game 1 of the 2023 NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
KYLE SCHWARBER LEADOFF TANK 😳 pic.twitter.com/yJdMJsDINQ
— MLB (@MLB) October 5, 2024
More significantly, it was Schwarber’s 12th postseason home run in a Phillies uniform, setting the franchise record for most home runs in Phillies playoff history. He had already registered 11 previously in just the past two seasons with Philadelphia during their playoff runs in 2022 and 2023, so it was only a matter of time before he would accomplish it.
On top of that, it brings his career postseason home run total to 21, putting him in fourth place all-time in MLB history just behind Manny Ramirez (29), José Altuve (27) and Bernie Williams (22), per MLB.com's Paul Casella. Also worthy of note is the fact that his playoff leadoff home run on Saturday was his fifth of his career, setting the mark for the most leadoff home runs in MLB history, according to Casella.
Most home runs in postseason history:
— Paul Casella (@Paul_CasellaMLB) October 5, 2024
1. Manny Ramirez: 29
2. Jose Altuve: 27
3. Bernie Williams: 22
4. Kyle Schwarber: 21*
* Schwarber's 5 playoff leadoff home runs are the most in MLB history
Schwarber has already been front and center one of the Phillies’ main driving forces for their offense during the 2024 season. With just 38 home runs this year, he fell just short of his third consecutive season of 40+ home runs since joining the Phillies in 2022. Nevertheless, Schwarber topped 100 RBI for the second consecutive season, as he led the team with 104 in 2024.
If the Phillies have success this postseason, Schwarber must be a huge part of that equation given his offensive explosiveness, potentially changing a game at any point of time. Hopefully, he will be able to set some more records along the way in the Phillies’ quest for a deep playoff run to the World Series.
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