Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott (5) reacts after hitting a grand slam against the Miami Marlins during the sixth inning of Game 2 of the wild-card series for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Citizens Bank Park. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Phillies ride historic home-field advantage to NLDS berth

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 10/4/23

The National League's top wild-card team is moving on.

On Wednesday, the Philadelphia Phillies advanced to the NL Divisional Series following a 7-1 win over the Miami Marlins to close out a two-game sweep of the wild-card round, and they did so in front of a raucous, difference-making crowd at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies improved to 24-11 at CBP in the postseason, the best record by any home team at one park in baseball history, per MLB.com's Sarah Langs.

Philly's .686 win percentage at CBP is ahead of the New York Mets at Shea Stadium (.667, 26-13) and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium II (.660, 35-18).

the Phillies are now 24-11 in the postseason at Citizens Bank Park

that .686 win pct currently stands as the best record in the postseason for any team in any park (min 20 games), ahead of:

Mets at Shea Stadium: .667, 26-13
Cardinals at Busch Stadium II: .660, 35-18 https://t.co/TMc7k8GxmK
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 5, 2023

Against the Marlins, the Phillies showed all the makings of a tea primed for another run to the World Series.

With the bats, the Phillies offense was its usual juggernaut self, outscoring the Marlins 11-2 over two games, with half of their 18 hits going for extra bases. Meanwhile, the Phillies aces showed up in a big way, clearing the way for a clean sweep.

Starters Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola combined to throw 13.2 innings, allowing one earned run off eight hits while striking out 11. With their stellar outings, Wheeler and Nola posted their third career postseason starts of six or more innings while allowing one run or less, tied for second-most in Phillies franchise history.

The Phillies now move on to the NLDS and a rematch with the rival Atlanta Braves, whom they faced on their way to the World Series in 2022.

The Braves, who've been waiting after clinching the No. 1 seed in the NL, were one of only two teams in the majors to win over 100 games this season, finishing with the best mark in the league at 104-58.

The Braves will host the Phillies for Game 1 of the NLDS Saturday at Truist Park.

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