The Philadelphia Phillies dropped Game 1 of the NLDS and were under pressure to even the series with a win in Game 2 at home before heading to the West Coast. However, the Los Angeles Dodgers took control, and despite a late rally by the Phillies, they ended up losing the second game as well.
It was a tough defeat—one that likely seals their fate this postseason. Falling behind 0-2 to the Dodgers with the series shifting to the West heavily suggests the Phillies’ playoff run is nearing its end.
Following the game, Nick Castellanos was questioned about the team’s ongoing struggles at home during the playoffs. His response, as reported by David Murphy of The Philadelphia Inquirer, included a controversial remark that appeared to blame Phillies fans, at least in part, for the team’s poor performance at home.
Nick Castellanos makes a ridiculous comment on Phillies fans after losing Game 2 of the NLDS
“I think the stadium is alive on both sides, right?” Castellanos said, “When the game is going good, it’s wind at our back, but when the game is not going good, it’s wind in our face. The environment can be with us, and the environment can be against us.”
This comment, after the Phillies’ lifeless offense dropped another game at home, is a frustrating one from Castellanos. He’s essentially calling out Phillies fans for their lack of support at times, which was seen in Game 2 when Jhoan Duran came out with his electric closer’s intro, cascaded by boo’s from frustrated fans.
Philadelphia fans are known for their intense passion and high expectations—regardless of whether their team is winning or struggling, they’ll always find something that needs improvement. Even during the Eagles’ dominant Super Bowl run, concerns about aspects like the passing game still surfaced.
For the Phillies, the main source of frustration has been their underwhelming offense, particularly from star players like Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, and Kyle Schwarber. If those key hitters were performing at a higher level, the criticism from fans would likely be much quieter.
In Monday night’s game, the Phillies struggled to generate offense until the ninth inning. A triple by Max Kepler and an RBI single from Turner were the only meaningful hits that produced runs all night.
Fans—many of whom paid good money to attend and support the team—had every reason to be disappointed. Whether it’s a midseason matchup or a playoff game, Philadelphia sports fans never shy away from voicing their opinions.
The cascading boo’s from Phillies fans aren’t unfamiliar, and while the Phillies’ 2022 and 2023 postseason runs had incredible moments, the recent performances have left a lot to be desired.
Castellanos’s comment about Phillies fans is a ridiculous one to make. Fans wouldn’t boo or express their frustrations with the team if they didn’t provide a good reason to be frustrated.
While the frustration from the fans can have an impact on the players on the field, the players need to shut out that noise and fight back. When they began to make a comeback, ironically aided by a Castellanos double, the fans had their back.
But, it was too little too late, and the Phillies dropped Game 2, going down 0-2 for the series, and are now on the ropes for the second straight year after a strong regular season.
While the Phillies fans’ booing might negatively affect the players, attributing some of the blame for the Phillies’ recent struggles at Citizens Bank Park to the fans is a ridiculous comment.
The offense has been poor, the middle relief hasn’t been great, and some of the decisions from Rob Thomson have hurt the Phillies. Fans are justifiably frustrated with the team, especially with the Phillies’ recent performances at home in the playoffs.
The Phillies will need to win out in the NLDS if they want to keep their postseason dreams alive. They take a trip out west to face the Dodgers in Los Angeles, with Aaron Nola set to face Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 3 of the NLDS.
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