The Philadelphia Phillies break their 11 year playoff drought this season. They begin the wild card series today on the road in St. Louis taking on the Cardinals.
It is an absolutely gorgeous day in St. Louis, partly cloudy, 64 degrees, 46% humidity. In other words it is perfect baseball weather for Game 1 of this three game series.
Phillies, Cardinals: Wheeler vs Quintana
Zack Wheeler (12-7, 2.82) starting for the Phillies. Going up against José Quintana (6-7, 2.93) on the bump for the the Cardinals.
Through the first five innings, both teams combined for only three hits. They go into the 6th inning tied at 0-0.
Both of these pitchers are locked in and executing at a high level. Wheeler and Quintana have beautiful command of their curve ball today. Up to this point have made a few batters look silly swinging at it.
An old fashion pitchers duel unfolding in front of our eyes with a combination of weak contact and strikeouts.
After 75 pitches in 5.1 innings only giving up 2 hits Quintana is replaced by Jordan Hicks due to Rhys Hoskins on deck and J.T Realmuto and Bryce Harper in the hole.
Wheeler leaves in the 7th innings after pitching 6.1 innings only giving up 2 hits and striking out 4.
Cold Bats In Game One
In the bottom of the 6th inning, Albert Pujols steps to the plate with runners on 1st and 3rd, 0 outs. The crowd becomes electric, every fan standing on their feet to witness. Zack Wheeler pitched him inside and forced a double play ball keeping the game scoreless.
After Paul Goldschmidt grounded out 3rd base, the inning ends all tied up 0-0, two hits for each team.
The suspense continues to build as fans, players, coaches, managers, and spectators all across the world watch and wait for the bats to wake up.
Late Inning Madness
In the bottom of the 7th inning after Wheeler got pulled. With a runner on first base Juan Yepez gets the call to pinch hit for Corey Dickerson. Yepez came through in a major way.
Juan Yepez hits a massive home run barely clearing the left field wall as Kyle Schwarber watched from the warning track.
Finally, a run has been put on the board, going into the 8th inning the Cardinals lead at home 2-0.
Top of the Ninth Inning
Going into the top of the 9th inning the Philadelphia Phillies bring the meat of their lineup to the plate trailing 0-2. Hoskins, Realmuto, and Harper; just the way you draw it up in dreams or movie scripts.
Ryan Helsley gets the challenge pitching the 9th for the Cardinals after getting the final two outs in the 8th.
Helsley strikes out Hoskins on low curve ball almost in the dirt. Realmuto hits a looping base hit into left center field bringing the tying run to the plate.
Bryce Harper takes a walk, bringing Nick Castellanos to the plate. Castellanos also walks loading the bases, bringing Alec Bohm to the plate with one out.
Alec Bohm gets hit in the shoulder, forcing in a run on a hit by pitch. Cardinals still lead 2-1 with Jean Segura up to bat. Pitcher Ryan Helsley taken out and replaced by Andre Pallante.
Jean Segura on a ground ball getting through the infield brings two runs home, Phillies take the lead 3-2. Bryson Stott hits a ground ball to Goldschmidt who attempts to throw the runner out at home plate. Phillies now lead 4-2 after scoring 4 runs in the top of the 9th inning.
After the dust settles the Cardinals trail 6-2 going into the bottom half of the 9th.
Bottom of the Ninth Inning
Goldschmidt flies out to left field to lead off the inning. Zach Eflin is pitching the 9th for the Phillies.
Nolan Arenado gives the Cardinals hope singling to right field. The very next batter Dylan Carlson takes a walk with two outs, bringing Ben Deluzio to the plate.
Deluzio records a base hit scoring Arenado from second. Yadier Molina steps to the plate representing the tying run. Molina strikes out on a ball low and away to end the game.
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Rowan Donaghey is a Sports and Betting Insider for Fantom Sports Industries. Follow him on twitter for daily content via @RowanDonaghey
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