Before the TV broadcast could even load the score, Kyle Schwarber made a swift impact. With a single pitch, one swing, and a burst of excitement for Phillies fans, Schwarber changed the scoreline.
On the very first pitch from Arizona’s pitcher Zac Gallen, the Phillies’ unconventional lead-off hitter smacked a home run into the second deck facade in right field, leaving no doubt about it. For three days, the Phillies and their supporters had to wait due to MLB’s postseason schedule. With one mighty swing, Schwarber ignited the stadium, putting the NLCS back in action.
Two batters later, Bryce Harper, celebrating his birthday, added to the excitement with another solo home run, doubling Philly’s lead and setting a definitive tone for the series. The Phillies have proven themselves to be a formidable October team, whether they’re seen as underdogs or favorites. The Marlins and the Braves experienced this in previous rounds, and now, the Diamondbacks appear to be the next challengers in Philadelphia’s playoff journey.
The Phillies ride a hot start to a Game 1 win! pic.twitter.com/VyPeJkDtMj
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 17, 2023
And here’s what fans have to say,
Phils winning it all you heard it here first
— Objectively, Embiid. (@Object_Joel) October 17, 2023
Umpire had the Phillies to win
— Ken Dawson (@dawdaw3838) October 17, 2023
From a ball four to a double play….
— lucas (@lucas5176098183) October 17, 2023
Lucky… Ump gave them a free strike in the last at bat.
— Ben (@HowUBenFeller) October 17, 2023
Gurriel should've been walked. Second strike was lower than jakes knees
— Aaron H (@Hocko25) October 17, 2023
Dbacks put up a good fight. Phil’s in 6 prob
— Connor Lochhead (@ConnorLochhead) October 17, 2023
To their credit, the Diamondbacks made Game 1 a close contest, pushing for a tying run in the ninth inning but ultimately falling 5-3. Despite Gallen’s rocky start, he managed to keep his team in the game, battling through five tough innings. Arizona’s offense patiently waited for Philly starter Zack Wheeler, and then struck for two runs in the sixth inning.
Although the Phillies made some mistakes, stranding seven runners, and faced some pitching challenges, they maintained their lead. The passionate crowd and the threat of more Schwarber heroics kept the energy high. The fans believed in their team, and the stadium erupted when Craig Kimbrel induced a double play to secure the victory.
The game began with Schwarber’s remarkable opening home run, his first of the postseason as Philly’s designated hitter. Schwarber has been criticized for his low batting average and high strikeout rate as a leadoff hitter, but moments like this remind everyone why he leads off for the dynamic Phillies lineup. When Schwarber puts the first pitch of the game into play, he boasts an impressive record this season.
Perhaps the Diamondbacks will bounce back in Game 2 and turn the series around. In the playoffs, a lot can change in a seven-game series, or even just four games.
However, the Phillies made a strong statement in this year’s NLCS, with a 5-3 victory that felt more lopsided than the score suggests. It all started with a memorable first inning and Schwarber’s impressive homer.
