‘Top Gun’ star Miles Teller celebrates as Phillies head to the World Series on Sunday, May 30, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Phillies are two wins from the World Series, and they are playing like it.
J.T. Realmuto and Chase Utley both have been on fire for the Phils, and now the big question is what happens against Boston on Thursday?
There’s been enough talk about what’s wrong for the Phillies to go from last place to first place in just two months. It hasn’t been enough to beat the Red Sox, who are led by David Ortiz, but the Phillies have played good baseball, with one of the best bullpens in the majors.
Phils manager Ryne Sandberg called it “one of the best bullpens I’ve seen.”
“I thought it was great,” said manager Clint Hurdle. “I didn’t see too much that was overly impressive. I saw them make a few good pitches in their bullpen.”
How much can the Phillies do?
They are in a game every day this week.
“We’ll take the Red Sox series,” said Hurdle. “Not going to get the chance to play against them again in September.”
When Hurdle took over as manager, his plan was to put the Phils in position to win every game. That has largely happened this week.
“What I’m trying to do is, not to overthink it,” said Hurdle. “There are some other factors; Boston comes out early and they’ve got a guy who threw a no-hitter the last time they played them, and for some reason, they’ve decided to come out early. I know it’s going to create a different kind of game from a pitcher’s perspective, a bullpen’s perspective, a hitter’s perspectives and a different kind of experience for these guys. I’m going to go in there having the confidence that we’re going to be good enough to win the rest of the games.”
Hurdle is happy with his bullpen.