The Philadelphia Phillies secured their first ticket to the postseason since 2011.
Ten years have passed since they made the playoffs: this time, it took them some blood, sweat and tears, but they were able to secure the sixth and last spot in the National League and will now face the St. Louis Cardinals in the Wild Card round.
Can you guess which team eliminated the Phillies in that 2011 playoffs run?
Yes, the Cardinals.
Fate is giving the Phils a chance to get some sweet, cold revenge.
“Oct. 7th, 2011: The last time the Phillies played a playoff game. They were eliminated in Game 5 of the NLDS by the Cards, who celebrated at CBP. Oct. 7th, 2022: Exactly 11 years later. The Phils return to the playoffs, once again against the Cards, seeking revenge. Spooky,” SportsRadio 94WIP tweeted.
Oct. 7th, 2011: The last time the Phillies played a playoff game. They were eliminated in Game 5 of the NLDS by the Cards, who celebrated at CBP.
Oct. 7th, 2022: Exactly 11 years later. The Phils return to the playoffs, once again against the Cards, seeking revenge.
Spooky. pic.twitter.com/FuRopINw7c
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) October 5, 2022
A Thrilling Series
The Phillies took the Cards to the maximum of five games, but couldn’t beat them.
St. Louis went on to eliminate the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Championship Series and earned the World Series trophy in dramatic fashion after being one strike away from losing the title in Game 6 against the Texas Rangers.
The Phillies were actually up 2-1 after Game 3 of that Division Series, but the Cardinals, with peak Albert Pujols, David Freese, and other stars, turned the series around in Games 4 and 5.
The late Roy Halladay, Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt, Ryan Madson, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, and other excellent players were on that talented Phillies squad.
11 years later, Philadelphia finally found its way back to the playoffs, and they will be looking to take down the NL Central champions behind Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and a surprisingly solid pitching staff.
NEXT: The Phillies May Have A Big Game 1 Advantage