Aaron Nola has a chance to lead the Phillies into the next round of the playoffs five days after turning in one of his best outings in the start with the greatest stakes of his career.
The Phillies only need one more victory to beat the Braves and secure at least one home playoff game. At Game 2 in St. Louis on Saturday at 8:37 p.m., Nola will receive the ball.
When the Phillies scored six runs in the ninth inning of a postseason game, they broke the big league record for a club that is trailing. All of this came after eight innings of scoreless baseball, during which there were only two hits and four baserunners.
If Nola follows Zack Wheeler's masterpiece with one of his own, he can assist in ending the series early.
every year we've gotten better, and I see it in spring training in the clubhouse. Better guys, better talent, I think we just had to make that last push and I think we did that this year.
Several hours later, the Phils went out and won, 6-3. Wheeler pitched 6⅓ shutout innings with some of the best velocity he's had all year. He and Nola each entered the postseason on a high.
Wheeler has been outstanding since returning from a month-long stay on the injured list, allowing one run in 21⅓ innings.
Nola carried a perfect game into the seventh inning Monday in Houston in the Phillies' playoff clincher.