After Game 3 Loss To The Mets, Phillies Face Questions Yankees Hope To Avoid
Within about a half hour after Kody Clemens made the final out to put the Philadelphia Phillies on the verge of elimination in the Division Series following two lengthy postseason runs, the clubhouse was a quiet place and four of their key players said their piece about facing the prospect of a season ending well short of expectations.
Basically it is the kind of thing that could be facing the Yankees late Wednesday night if they lost the third game in Kansas City. It would mark the second straight time in the Division Series they fell behind two games to one but like two years ago and due to the off day in between the first two games, the Yankees can use Gerrit Cole for a second time.
The Phillies will not get such a luxury in using Aaron Nola for a second time since he pitched Wednesday when his hitters produced five hits, scored both runs in the eighth inning, fell behind 0-2 in 12 of their 35 plate appearances in the 7-2 loss to the Mets Tuesday.
Nick Castellanos was the first to speak in front of the “Red October” name plate each Philadelphia locker has and was the most provocative, giving this viral line in his statement about what lies ahead in 24 hours.
As a group this is the closest to death as we’re ever gonna get,” Castellanos said. “So in a way, we should feel the most alive. We’re only promised tomorrow and this is what we’ve worked since spring training for, to have this opportunity. It’s just one more time to show out and leave everything on the field and however the dice is gonna land.
