Nick Castellanos

Gelb points out that Soto "has maintained a close relationship with Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long" and that the Phillies will certainly not let payroll get in the way of any improvements that could be made to the team this offseason. While Nick Castellanos is likely returning with two years left on his contract, Gelb suggests the team could move on from one or both of Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas in order to free up space for Soto. "The Phillies, at least, could raise the price for a rival to sign Soto" which means we should see the Phillies involved in the Soto sweepstakes for a while this offseason. If his primary objective is to win a World Series, he won't find many teams with a better chance in 2025.

In a bases-loaded situation for the third time in the game, the Mets finally capitalized in the sixth. With the Phillies up 1-0, Jeff Hoffman loaded the bases with no outs before getting an easy grounder to short. Trea Turner opted to get the lone out at home rather than take an easy double play. That kept the bases loaded, and after Carlos Estevez came on as Hoffman's replacement, Lindor delivered the decisive blow. The Phillies never responded, finishing the game with just four hits. In all, they totaled 24 hits in the series, 11 of those coming off the bats of Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos. Lindor's homer was his first of this postseason and seventh in 35 career games in October.

Brandon Marsh is moving to center field for the contest, and Johan Rojas will retreat to the bench. Wilson was a solid surprise for the Phillies in 2024, and now will get a chance to make an impact in a must-win game for Philadelphia. The full lineup: DH Kyle Schwarber, SS Trea Turner, 1B Bryce Harper, RF Nick Castellanos, 3B Alec Bohm, C J.T. Realmuto, 2B Bryson Stott, LF Wilson and CF Marsh.

Bohm was benched for Game 2 against New York, but even after going hitless off the bench the 28-year-old will be back on the hot corner against southpaw Sean Manaea. Edmundo Sosa is still in the lineup with Bryson Stott sitting against the left-hander, and Austin Hays gets the start in left with Brandon Marsh on the bench to begin play. The full lineup for Philadelphia as they look to take a 2-1 series lead: DH Kyle Schwarber, SS Trea Turner, 1B Bryce Harper, RF Nick Castellanos, 3B Bohm, C J.T. Realmuto, LF Austin Hays, 2B Sosa, and CF Johan Rojas.

Monday is a travel day for the National League. Both series are knotted up 1-1 as they head to the homes of the lower seeds. Nick Castellanos’ walk-off hit capped off a back-and-forth affair in Philadelphia yesterday, squaring things with the Mets. The Padres had a much more convincing (but still drama-filled) beatdown of the Dodgers…