I owe you an apology, Phillies. I wasn't really familiar with your game.
This is For The Win's daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here's Mike Sykes.
Good morning, winners! I hope you're well and you've had a fantastic week so far. Happy Wednesday! We're halfway through the week.
Hey, remember when I wrote that the Rangers had some Team of Destiny vibes going? Yeah, that was fun, right? Right. I think that was totally fair to say about the postseason Texas has had so far.
But, clearly, I need to apologize to the Phillies.
Because after Philadelphia's 10-0 thrashing of the Diamondbacks in Game 2 of the NLCS, it feels a lot like destiny — and just about every other cosmic force — is on its side, too. Especially when it comes to those bats.
The Phillies are hitting just about everything right now. The bats are on fire. They're the first team to have multiple 10-run games in a single postseason since the 2009 Phillies (lololol), according to ESPN. This team is outscoring opponents by a whopping 33 runs. The Phillies have led at the end of 57 innings so far this postseason and only trailed in two total, per MLB.com's Paul Casella.
It ain't just the bats. Aaron Nola's inconsistencies on the mound during the regular season have completely vanished. He pitched a shutout through at least six innings for the third time in these playoffs. That's literally Cole Hamels-esque stuff — Hamels was the last pitcher to do that for the Phils.
The Phillies aren't undefeated like the Rangers this postseason, but they certainly do feel unstoppable right now.
Philadelphia still has to win two more games to close this thing out and the next two are on the road. It won't be easy. Well, it shouldn't be easy. But the Phillies have made everything else look pretty simple so far in these playoffs, so hey. Maybe it will be.
Speaking of the Phillies...
Phillies fans, this is just your newsletter today. Clearly. Our Andrew Joseph ranked the postseason crowd atmospheres so far in these playoffs. Guess who was No. 1?
Of course, it's Philadelphia. Here's why from Andrew:
Can't wait to see what Reebok's return to hoops looks like. This is going to be so much fun. The 90s are really back, folks.
Quick hits: The Rockets Kevin Porter Jr. mess ... Leave the Chargers' super fan alone ... and more
— The NBA is having some trouble with the human side of basketball. I wrote about that here with the Kevin Porter Jr. trade on Tuesday.
— If y'all don't stop hating on this Chargers fan. She's just having a good time! Mary Clarke has more.
— Cory Woodruff has five NFL trade deadline bold predictions here for you. Check 'em out.
— My goal in life is to one day be as smooth as Trea Turner is with this slide. Charles Curtis has more.
— Here's Robert Zeglinski with his weekly studs, duds and sleepers for your fantasy football team in Week 7. Tap in.
— Here's Christian D'Andrea with a breakdown of what's wrong with my quarterback. Please, Eagles, fix Jalen Hurts.
That's all, folks. Happy Wednesday! You're almost to the weekend. Keep it going.
Peace.
-Sykes