2022 MLB Playoffs: Phillies' steady approach proves their demise in Game 2
The Phillies have gotten this far with Rob Thomson's steady hand, but in Game 2, staying the course was their undoing, Jake Mintz writes.OCTOBER 20, 2022
2022 MLB Playoffs: Padres' trade-deadline acquisitions shine in Game 2 win
The Padres were the loudest team at the trade deadline. In Game 2 of the NLCS, their additions made the difference in a big win, Rowan Kavne...OCTOBER 20, 2022
For subscribers: History says Padres storming back to avoid 0-2 hole beyond critical in NLCSBrushing aside strange, four-run inning by Phillies in Game 2 of National League Championship Series energizes Padres as they travel to Phil...
OCTOBER 20, 2022•SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM
Josh Hader - Closes out Game 2Hader struck out the side in the ninth and earned the save during Game 2 of the NLCS, allowing zero hits and zero walks in the 8-5 win over the Phillies.
ImpactHader continued his dominant 2022 postseason in Game 2, needing just 13 pitches to strike out the three Phillies he faced in the ninth and secure the victory. The southpaw earned his fourth postseason save, and he has now tallied 7.1 scoreless innings and allowed only one hit while striking out 10 since the playoffs began. After an outlier regular season where Hader struggled to a career-high 5.22 ERA, the 28-year-old is turning things around in the most important games of the season. Since the beginning of September, Hader has allowed only one earned run over 15.2 innings while striking out 20.
OCTOBER 20, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Manny Machado - Goes yard in Game 2Machado went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and a double during Wednesday's 8-5 win over the Phillies in Game 2 of the NLCS.
ImpactMachado's solo shot in the eighth inning off David Robertson gave the Padres a four-run cushion, and they ultimately held on to even the NLCS at 1-1. This game marked Machado's fourth multi-hit performance of the postseason, bringing his average up to .306 across 36 plate appearances. Machado has demonstrated an unbelievable ability to bounce back from poor showings. The last six times the star third baseman has gone hitless, he has followed up with a multi-hit performance.
OCTOBER 20, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Josh Bell - Hits solo shot in Game 2Bell went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI in Game 2 of the NLCS on Wednesday afternoon as the Padres defeated the Phillies, 8-5.
ImpactBell came into Game 2 hitting just 3-for-23 in the postseason with nine strikeouts, but he was able to get back on track Wednesday. Bell's solo homer in the bottom of the second off Aaron Nola helped the Padres come back from a 4-0 deficit and tie the series at 1-1. The 30-year-old DH hit just three home runs across 53 games once he joined the Padres in 2022, but he can atone for his disappointing regular season by continuing to flash his power for the Padres in the NLCS.
OCTOBER 20, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Brandon Drury - Knocks in three during Game 2Drury went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and three RBI during Wednesday's Game 2 of the NLCS in the 8-5 win over the Phillies.
ImpactDrury had been just 1-for-15 in the postseason and 4-for-31 dating back to the beginning of October, so Game 2's outburst was a pleasant surprise for the Padres. The 30-year-old veteran has played for six teams in eight seasons but has minimal playoff experience with just six plate appearances prior to the 2022 postseason. Look to see if Drury can follow up Game 2's offensive explosion as the NLCS progresses.
OCTOBER 20, 2022•ROTOWIRE
