PHILADELPHIA- The Phillies clutched a major win last night after a sixth-inning saving grace grand slam led them to win their first round of playoffs, and a Major League Baseball insider predicts a World Series win.
Philadelphia has had a long history of major highs and lows. Fans have a reputation for being the roughest and toughest around, especially during the low years. This past year has represented a huge disappointment for the city, but it hasn’t always been this way.
The Phillies won the World Series in 2008 with major success. There had been a 28-year drought since their last victory, and Philadelphia fans had finally regained some hope for their team.
Last year, the Phillies successfully made it through “Red October,” and found themselves a spot in the 2022 World Series, much to fans’ delight. Things were going well for the team; morale was at an all-time high.
That delight lasted about four games when the Houston Astros managed to tie the Phillies 2-2. It was all over by game six when our Fightin Phils were sent home to angry fans.
Last night’s first-round win has given some fans hope for a better chance in the World Series this year. Sports Illustrated‘s Tom Verducci is said to have predicted a similar World Series for 2023, but with a Phillies win instead.
“This is a tough-minded Phillies team with a deeper pitching staff than the one that could not stop Houston in the World Series last year. The lefty-heavy Marlins present a first-round threat to the Phillies but surviving that will put this team on a run.” He claimed.
The next round of the playoffs will be against the Atlanta Braves, who they beat in the second round last year. Hopefully, their win last night keeps them on an upward trajectory.
Things are looking up in Philadelphia, but can it last? Bucks’ Liberal Arts Student, 21-year-old Chris Lopez doesn’t think so, “Braves have revenge on their mind,” he said. “There are more odds that they can lose.”
Overall, the Holland, PA native says that this round is unpredictable because this is exactly how the Phillies entered the playoffs last season. They have just as big of a chance to win as they have to lose, it is just a matter of their opponent’s lust for the win.
Levittown native, 19-year-old Leila Kelley is a Bucks English student who still holds some hope for the Phillies. “I think they could do it,” she says. “I think they can, they just need to put in the work when they get there.”
She says that last year the Phillies were “just happy to be there, and they didn’t seem to care if they won or lost.” She hopes that they play smart and try to win this year.
It appears the Phillies’ chances of making it to the World Series really depend on the team’s togetherness and need for a win. Morale means the world for our team’s performance; it is all a matter of whether another team wants it more.