Phillies In The Driver’s Seat After Overcoming Miscues

The two titanic, back to back home runs in the top of the eighth inning yesterday in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series offered a rather comical discourse from the announcers booth.

Newly appointed NBC baseball analyst Joey Votto, a longtime Cincinnati Red and former MVP, offered some poignant praise toward the Atlanta Braves. Right after a seventh inning defensive collapse from the Phillies that suggested a deep defensive misalignment, with players simply playing out of their regular, comfortable positions, Votto added insult to injury.

With Atlanta up 3-1 to begin the inning, and Dylan Lee, the MLB leader in holds through the course of the 2026 season, on the mound, Votto doubled down on his praise for the team that had taken the lead largely through defensive lapses and clear mistakes.

“You know, you can really tell the difference in the quality of the lineups, and the length of the bullpen.” - Former MLB first baseman, and National League MVP Joey Votto

The comment seemed to suggest, rather strangely, that the Braves had more "star" players than the Phillies.

Right on cue, Kyle Schwarber, the MLB home run leader for 2026, destroyed a full count offering into the lounge area of the right field upper deck at Truist Park.

Schwarber effectively silenced the stadium...and Votto.

Schwarber Silences Atlanta

We’ll obviously give Votto a pass, given his long and successful career in MLB, and for appearing to be, anyway, an all around nice guy.

That said, he immediately backtracked and openly suggested that Bryce Harper could “redeem himself” for the defensive mistake he had made in the previous inning.

The main announcing crew had ripped Harper for what John Kruk described as a “routine” fly ball.

Harper probably should have caught the ball. It was ultimately scored a double, however, and there was more to the play than simply labeling it a routine fly ball.

The ball was hit hard, with afternoon shadows making it difficult to immediately read. It was also hit directly at Harper before quickly escalating over his head.

He didn’t charge in, which is a deadly mistake for an outfielder trying to route toward a catch. He froze, then side stepped immediately backward. Harper stretched as much as possible in that moment, but simply couldn’t squeeze the ball as it grazed the top of his glove and fell to the ground.

The announcing crew, especially Kruk, who increasingly appears to be applying a grumpy old man, “I remember when…” approach to his commentary, were relentless in their criticism of Harper and the Phillies after the play.

It was scored a double.

Harper Gets His Redemption

Karma was later served, of course, in the eighth.

Harper immediately followed Schwarber with a huge solo blast of his own.

The Phillies would later score the go ahead run, and are now tied with the Braves heading into tonight’s Game 3, which will also be held at Truist Park in Atlanta.

Suddenly, the conversation about the “length” of star power looks considerably different.

The Phillies have plenty of it.

The Phillies Have Depth For Game 3

Manager Don Mattingly has two strong options to take the mound as the Game 3 starter.

Both Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler are healthy, performing at the top of their game, and bring a wealth of playoff experience and success to the stage.

There is also Jhoan Duran.

The flamethrowing closer has been sitting out the series thus far and was not called upon to close Game 2. He will almost certainly serve in some capacity for Game 3.

Jesus Luzardo is another option. The Phillies’ Game 1 starter is available to throw an inning if called upon.

It’s all hands on deck.

In a tense elimination playoff game, it will be interesting to see if the announcing crew will hold off on prematurely passing judgment.

Then again, it’s often just as interesting to watch them eat their words sometimes.