The Los Angeles Dodgers hoped a win would seal their ticket to the National League Championship Series the Philadelphia Phillies in NLDS Game 3 on Wednesday. However, the Phillies had other plans and won 8-2, forcing the Dodgers to play a Game 4 on Thursday.
Philadelphia’s offense finally woke up, giving fans hope that they could extend the series to a Game 5. Phillies manager Rob Thomson rallied his troops with a pregame speech that might have turned the tide.
Rob Thomson inspires Phillies to beat Dodgers
Thomson gave his team some words of wisdom before Game 3. According to The Athletic’s Matt Gelbhe told his players, “Don’t try harder, trust harder.”
Outfielder Max Kepler, who signed a one-year deal with the club last winter, resonated with his players, saying it was “a revelation.”
“Everyone was just in awe,” Kepler said. “It felt like a revelation at the same time. A revelation like, we’re back.”
Meanwhile, longtime catcher JT Realmuto was asked how he felt about his skipper’s speech. He said: “It was a weight off our shoulders. From then on we could just play our game.”
Realmuto was the Phillies’ only consistent hitter in the series, going 5-for-13 (.385 average), with two doubles, a triple, a home run and three RBI.
While Thomson lit a fire under them, the team scored eight points, three of which came via the long ball.
The Phillies have momentum now
Philadelphia now has the momentum back on its side. The Dodgers are feeling the pressure.
‘We have to understand that we are still 2-1 ahead’ shortstop Mookie Betts said after the game. “Obviously there’s a lot of pressure on us to play the game, but that’s perfect pressure, it’s a privilege, and just go out and play it.”
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