Philly Leader

Members of the Philadelphia Phillies gathered at Nick Castellanos' home on Wednesday for an unusual off-day activity: watching baseball. The team typically uses these gatherings for cookouts, often watching football instead. Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto remarked, "That was probably the first time we've ever done one and actually watched baseball... None of us have ever sat around and watched a baseball game together."

The players came together to see who they would face in Game 1 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) on Saturday, between the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers. Ultimately, it was determined that their opponents would be the Mets.

Reflecting on this matchup, Realmuto noted similarities between the current Mets team and the 2022 Phillies, stating that momentum in baseball is "very contagious" and important for confidence. He acknowledged that the Mets are currently a "really hot team," drawing parallels to his own team's journey to last year's World Series.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson expressed optimism about their chances with Zack Wheeler pitching Game 1. The plan includes Cristopher Sánchez for Game 2 and Aaron Nola for Game 3 at Citi Field. Thomson commented on the importance of maintaining momentum, citing past experiences where teams can quickly lose their stride.