Aaron Nola Dominant as Phillies Continue Postseason Success
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies have found their key to success in pitcher Aaron Nola. With Nola at his best, the Phillies become a more well-rounded and formidable team, as shown by their recent postseason record.
Catcher J.T. Realmuto acknowledged Nola’s importance before the team’s first postseason game, stating, “The Phillies are best when Nola’s [at] his best.” In Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Nola showcased his dominance, pitching six scoreless innings and leading the Phillies to a resounding 10-0 victory. This win improved the Phillies’ home postseason record to 6-0 and continued their impressive 28-11 record at Citizens Bank Park since its opening in 2004.
Nola’s stellar performance received praise from his teammates, including outfielder Kyle Schwarber, who remarked, “The way that these guys are throwing the ball right now, it’s been fantastic. And it makes our jobs a lot easier.” Nola’s ability to consistently get ahead of hitters and mix his pitches effectively has made him unpredictable and difficult to face.
Throughout the postseason, Nola has shown his dominance with a 3-0 record and a remarkable 0.96 ERA in three starts. He has struck out 19 batters while only allowing two runs in 18 2/3 innings. Such impressive numbers haven’t been matched since the postseason performances of John Smoltz in 1991 and Cliff Lee in 2010.
Nola’s success is particularly timely as he approaches free agency after this season. Despite facing the pressure of pitching in a contract year and for a team with high expectations, Nola remains focused and unfazed. He attributes the team’s success to their camaraderie and support for one another, stating, “We all have fun. We don’t look at super-pressure games, super-pressure situations. We like those, but the way everybody meshes with each other, I think it all takes that pressure off. We all pull for each other. Nobody is selfish, as you can probably see in the dugout. I think that’s what makes our team good.”
Looking ahead, Nola’s next potential start would be in Game 6 (if necessary) of the NLCS, but with the Phillies currently holding a 2-0 series lead, that might not be necessary. Should the Phillies advance to the World Series, Nola is lined up to pitch Game 2 on October 28.
The Phillies have found their key to success in Aaron Nola, a pitcher who consistently delivers and elevates the team’s performance. As the postseason progresses, the Phillies will rely on Nola’s dominance on the mound to propel them further towards their ultimate goal of winning the World Series.