2 Studs (and 1 Dud) From Phillies' NLDS-Clinching Win Over Braves

The Philadelphia Phillies had a chance to clinch the series Thursday night, and they did just that. Philadelphia defeated the Atlanta Braves 3-1 in Game 4, giving Rob Thomson's club a decisive third victory to send their NL East rivals packing.

Key players have to step up in matchups like this, and the Phillies certainly had a few who deserve to be praised. Meanwhile, some didn't quite help in the winning effort on this particular night. With that in mind, here are the studs and duds from Philadelphia's NLDS-clinching victory.

Phillies Studs and Duds NLDS Game 4

Stud: Nick Castellanos

After a slow start to the night, the Phillies needed someone's bat to give this offense life. Well, right fielder Nick Castellanos certainly answered the call.

Atlanta surprisingly got on the board first with Austin Riley's solo blast in the fourth inning, putting Philadelphia in an early 1-0 hole. However, Castellanos wasted little time in settling the score by teeing off of Spencer Strider just a few batters later.

The two-time All-Star's homer woke up Citizens Bank Park in a hurry, and it gaves the Phillies' dugout some great momentum to turn things up a notch. Trea Turner then hit his own solo dinger the very next inning to provide his team a nice 2-1 cushion.

But, Castellanos wasn't done for the night. He then hit his second HR of the night in the bottom of the sixth, padding the Phillies' lead for the final three innings.

Castellanos' power showcase is exactly what big-time players do in big-time moments. He not only tied up the game when his club was desperate for a run, but kept his foot on the gas and contributed another dinger after that.

With a whopping four home runs over the final two games of this series, Castellanos has a serious hot hand heading into the NLCS.