Philly Leader

The Philadelphia Phillies face a critical moment as they head into Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Citi Field. Initially considered a major strength, the Phillies' bullpen has become a significant concern after allowing 10 runs on 13 hits in just six innings across the first two games against the New York Mets.

Despite these struggles, manager Rob Thomson remains confident in his relievers. "I think you have to trust them, you know," Thomson stated. "They've been performing all year long. It's just a matter of execution."

Reliever Matt Strahm, who has faced challenges in both games, emphasized the importance of moving past mistakes quickly. "I've been a reliever a long time,” Strahm said. “You've got to forget them as quickly as you can and move on."

Thomson highlighted the bullpen's potential for quick recovery, noting its volatility during postseason play. "Like hitting [and] your starting rotation, your bullpen is contagious one way or the other," he said.

Philadelphia's relief team has shown strength throughout the regular season with standout performances from pitchers like Matt Strahm, Jeff Hoffman, and Orion Kerkering—all boasting impressive ERAs and strikeout numbers.

Game 3 starter Aaron Nola expressed confidence in his bullpen teammates: "They've been so good all year...we feel confident with those guys coming in and shutting the door."

The Phillies look to capitalize on their recent victory to maintain momentum and address their bullpen concerns as they continue their postseason journey.