Kyle Schwarber hits a lead-off home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 1 of the 2023 NLCS. Photo via Phillies
Before the Kelce brothers could even blink, the Philadelphia Phillies had already taken the lead.
Last night saw Game 1 of the National League Championship Series between the Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks commence. And on the very first pitch of the game, it was already 1-0 Phillies as Kyle Schwarber launched a Schwarbomb into right field. Starter Zac Gallen, who had given up the home run, looked in disbelief as the stadium reached an ear-shattering 111 decibels, officials confirmed.
Kelces in the House
Travis and Jason Kelce, prominent NFL athletes who—specifically Travis, due to dating Taylor Swift—have lit the world on fire lately, were in attendance. Jason, who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles (who play one block over) donned a Phillies hat and maroon sweatshirt. Meanwhile, Travis opted for a more plainclothes blue sweater and “Homebred” heat. The Ohio natives took a night out on a day off to watch the Phillies dominate, and seemed to enjoy it.
“It’s Red October, baby!” Jason said in a video shared by MLB. “Philly season is here and we’re dominating tonight.”
Four pitches after Schwarber’s home run, Bryce Harper sent his own homer sailing into the night. The 420-foot shot put the Phillies up 2-0 in the first inning, and the team would follow up in the second inning with another home run by Nick Castellanos.
“I don’t think I’ve heard this place any louder,” Phillies reliever Matt Strahm said. “I was talking to [Jeff Hoffman] and I couldn’t even hear myself talking. This place is unbelievable. You can’t explain what it feels like.”
The D-Backs would end up scoring three runs of their own, but with Zack Wheeler’s stellar pitching performance, the Phillies would end up notching the 5-3 win. It was the D-Backs’ first loss this postseason, and now, they are down one game to none in this series.
“That gave us the momentum,” Castellanos said. “That unlocked the stadium. It unlocked the atmosphere. It just kind of put the night in our favor. When you’re watching something amazing like all of these home runs we’re hitting, you can appreciate it. But I’m not surprised because I know we’re capable of doing it.”
“They just ambushed us,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “They came out ready to jump on [Gallen’s] fastball.”
Game 2 between the two clubs will kick off tonight, October 17, at 8 p.m. Eastern. Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros have a day off after Texas took the first two games, and lead that series 2-0. They will show down tomorrow night in Arlington.
