🛎️ That's Just Nasty, Man

_{LAST GAME: PHILLIES 5 - METS 2}

_{NEXT GAME: Phillies (Aaron Nola) vs. Pirates (TBD)}

_{Tuesday, Sept. 26, 6:40 EDT | NBCSP, 94 WIP}

Good morning. Cristopher Sánchez’s changeup and Orion Kerkering’s slider wiped away the Mets last night. Both pitches (and another Nick Castellanos homer) helped the Phillies complete an impressive four-game sweep that has them on the brink of wrapping up the top National League Wild Card spot.

The Phillies’ postseason magic number is one, while their magic number to ensure the Cubs or Diamondbacks catch four hours of hell at Citizens Bank Park next week is down to two.

Feels good, doesn’t it?

In the email today:

If you came into the weekend feeling like the Phillies might be a bullpen piece short of making a serious postseason run, that would be understandable.

But…if you watched Orion Kerkering’s 12-pitch MLB debut last night and came away thinking the Phillies just had a lights-out reliever fall into their laps during the final week of the regular season — one that changes everything — that would also be understandable.

While it’s probably unwise to get too carried away after one clean inning against a Mets squad that’s playing out the string, the 22-year-old Kerkering was flat-out nasty:

• Kerkering only threw two sinkers but touched 99.8 mph.

• He threw 10 sliders. The Mets swung at 6 of them and whiffed 3 times.

• In 53 2/3 innings pitched across four minor league levels this season, Kerkering struck out 79 batters while posting a 1.51 ERA and 0.894 WHIP.

Our take: Last spring, Kerkering was pitching for South Florida before being selected by the Phillies in the 5th round of the 2022 draft. This spring, his season began in Single-A where he dominated the Florida State League. Now, he could be the X factor for a team with its sights set on another World Series appearance.

Maybe he struggles this week and the Phillies ultimately pass on his upside — but it feels like he’s here for a reason.

Some scouts have suggested that Kerkering’s stuff and feel for the zone easily make him the Phillies’ best relief pitching prospect in recent memory.

So when he shows up on the mound at Citizens Bank Park and instantly delivers, the idea that can be provide an immediate October impact may not be as crazy as it seems.

What is this sorcery?

2)🔥 Another One: Sánchez Does It Again

Orion Kerkering’s slider wasn’t the only pitch that dazzled last night.

Don’t forget about Cristopher Sánchez’s changeup.

Presumably, the Mets bothered to read the scouting reports. If they did, they knew what was coming, and they still couldn’t do anything about it.

Sánchez tied a career-high 10 strikeouts (which he first set 12 days ago) over seven innings of two-run ball. The changeup was the finisher on all of them.

• Per MLB Statcast data, Sánchez went to the changeup on 40 of 96 pitches (42%).

• The Mets swung at the pitch 25 times, whiffing a whopping 16 times (64%).

Our take: I’ve already utilized plenty of space in previous editions of this newsletter making the case for Sánchez to assume a significant postseason role. The short version: How does he not get the ball as the Phillies’ fourth starter (if needed)?

That take certainly hasn’t changed after he carried a perfect game into the fifth inning last night. Given the overall effectiveness of Sánchez’s changeup right now, it will be fascinating to see if the Phillies utilize him in a relief capacity in the first round.

3) 🥹 Tweet of the Day: How Can You Not Be Romantic About Baseball?

The Phillies have produced a number of memorable moments this season.

With the Braves in the way, it’s still difficult to forecast a World Series run, but it does feel like something special is brewing with this team. Doesn’t it?

4) 📊 Poll: Should Orion Kerkering Make the Postseason Roster?

Have additional thoughts? Reply directly to this email to comment, and see if we include your response tomorrow.

…

Results from our last poll: How Are You Feeling About Craig Kimbrel This Postseason?

Your replies…

“Beers will be necessary.... Perfect summation of this entire playoff run.”

“You might want a couple cases on hand! Kimbrel's not the only one in that bullpen!”

“Queue Demi Lovato’s “Confident” and that’s what I feel like this entire locker room is all about. We know this team can get it done in the post season, I include Kimbrel in that too.”

…

5) 🔗 Link Roundup:

• 😬 Charlie Morton won’t be pitching in the NLDS. Uh-oh.

• 🫡 Trea Turner addressed the crowd before last night’s game. His words felt genuine.

• ✌️Bob Nightengale suggests that Phillies GM Sam Fuld has emerged as a candidate to replace Chaim Bloom in Boston.

• 📻 Here are the radio highlights of last night’s win.

The newsletter today was written by: Bob Wankel (Follow on X)

Thanks for reading!