When Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber steps up to the plate for Game 1 of the National League Division Series, he plans to keep his strategy straightforward.
“What we’re trying to do: Don’t look like a ding-dong at the plate,” Schwarber said during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. “Hit ding-dongs, but don’t be a ding-dong.”
Schwarber has been productive in postseason play, hitting 21 home runs—second among active players behind Jose Altuve’s 27. Despite leading the National League with 56 home runs during the regular season, Schwarber said he does not always aim for home runs. He recalled times when intentionally trying to hit one led to disappointing results: “like a freaking idiot,” as he described it.
Instead, Schwarber prefers focusing on hitting line drives up the middle, which he calls “the most perfect-struck baseball that you could have.” He added that even though playoff games bring more pressure and excitement, he tries not to change his approach. “Just because everything’s heightened [in the postseason], the senses are heightened, it doesn’t mean you have to be Superman.”
The atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park is expected to be lively this month as postseason play begins. On Wednesday night, more than 31,000 fans were set to attend an intrasquad exhibition game at the stadium—a chance for players to stay sharp before facing either the Reds or Dodgers in the NLDS.
“They are going to be going wild for any run that’s being scored today,” Schwarber said about Phillies fans. “It’s going to be interesting. It’s going to be fun.
“This is just for us to stay in that rhythm. We know that whoever comes out of this series between the Reds and the Dodgers — they are going to be primed up, they are going to be juiced up. They just won a big series, and now it’s on us to match that intensity.”
Schwarber also reflected on his first experience with October baseball in Philadelphia during 2022 after defeating St. Louis in the Wild Card Series and splitting two games against Atlanta before returning home.
“It felt like a football game,” Schwarber said of playing at Citizens Bank Park during last year’s playoffs. “I’m like, ‘Holy [expletive], this is awesome.’ It gives you goosebumps. You just don’t expect that. … It’s literally the best. That’s why I’m itching, I’m ready for Saturday. Friday, we’re not going to be able to sleep.”
