3 reasons the Phillies can pull off a World Series upset

3. They’ve found two shutdown relievers

It was no secret why the Phillies got off to a 21-29 start, then struggled in September to hold on to a Wild Card spot: their bullpen was a mess.

The Phillies had the seventh-worst bullpen ERA by the beginning of June. They were even worse at the end of the season, finishing with a 5.07 ERA from Sept. 1, fourth-worst in the league.

But the bullpen the Phillies threw at the Padres in the NLCS wasn’t just remarkably improved, it was one of the main reasons the Phillies are moving on and the Padres are headed home. Seranthony Dominguez has turned into an elite reliever with his 98 mph sinker. He didn’t give up a run over his first five October appearances, striking out 13 of the 22 batters he faced, before Sunday when, unable to grip the ball in the light rain that fell on Citizens Bank Park throughout the game, he uncorked three wild pitches.

Left-handed Jose Alvarado, who hit 100 mph on the radar gun on Sunday, faced the Padres three times in the NLCS and gave up only three hits and no runs. He’s surrendered just one run over his last eight appearances this postseason. Even in Game 4, when starter Bailey Falter couldn’t get out of the first inning, Connor Brogdon was able to come in and pitch 2.1 shutout innings as the Phillies came back to win.

The Phillies bullpen had a 2.18 ERA in the NLCS. Their depth will never be compared to that of the Astros, but with two off days scheduled in the World Series, Thomson will be able to lean on Dominguez and Alvarado often.