3 Phillies the Braves can thank for choking away Game 2

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 12: J.T. Realmuto #10 and Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies talk on the mound during the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves in game two of the National League Division Series at Truist Park on October 12, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 12: J.T. Realmuto #10 and Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies talk on the mound during the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves in game two of the National League Division Series at Truist Park on October 12, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 12: Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies drops the ball against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning in game two of the National League Division Series at Truist Park on October 12, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 12: Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies drops the ball against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning in game two of the National League Division Series at Truist Park on October 12, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images) /

These three members of the Philadelphia Phillies played a role in the team losing Game 2 of the NLDS to the Atlanta Braves.

The Philadelphia Phillies made quite the statement to start the NLDS. Taking on their rivals and the defending World Series champions, the Atlanta Braves, the Phillies held back a rally to win 7-6 and take a 1-0 series lead.

Sadly for Philadelphia, they did not have a repeat of success the next day. On Wednesday, the Braves won 3-0 after their bats came to life in the bottom of the sixth inning.

With this game in the books, now the time to dissect what exactly went wrong for the losing team begins. Here are three players who contributed to the team’s Game 2 loss.

3. Nick Castellanos

Nick Castellanos was the hero of Game 1. He did knock in three runs on three hits in five at-bats, and he made the game-ending catch that ended Atlanta’s comeback attempt in Game 1. So why is he on the players to blame for the Game 2 loss list?

Well, he stranded two runners on base. In the second inning, Castellanos walked to the plate with Bryce Harper standing on second after a double. Castellanos lined out, and was followed by Alec Bohm and Brandon Marsh retiring to leave Harper on base. Then in the top of the fourth inning, Castellanos flew out to leave JT Realmuto on first base.

Now, Castellanos has left six runners on base this postseason run.