Phillies on Brink of NLCS After Historic Power Display

Phillies fans rejoiced at the news that Bryce Elder would be starting for the Braves on Wednesday, and the struggling pitcher did not disappoint.

Back home for the first time since last week, Philadelphia's bats exploded in Game 3 of the NLDS. The Phillies cruised to a 10-2 victory over their division rivals behind another gem from Aaron Nola and, more impressively, a historic performance from their lineup.

Phillies Win NLDS Game 3

Philadelphia launched 6 home runs in Game 3, setting a team record and tying the MLB postseason record with its epic barrage. The Phillies joined the 2015 Chicago Cubs -- who also smashed 6 homers in Game 3 of the NLDS that year -- as the only teams in playoff history with 6 dingers in a postseason game.

The long balls came early and often for Philadelphia, as they have for much of the season. Elder was predictably shaky after slumping down the stretch, and the Phillies took full advantage.

With Philly trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the third, Nick Castellanos tied things up with a solo homer, and it was off to the races from there. Bryce Harper followed later that inning with a three-run shot -- his first tater of the game.

Elder failed to finish the third, and by the time the inning was over the Phillies were up 6-1. They didn't stop there, though, padding their lead with 4 solo homers throughout the rest of the game. Harper went yard again in the fifth, and Trea Turner joined him in the sixth. Castellanos smoked his second solo homer of the game in the bottom of the eighth, and Brandon Marsh followed him up with a solo (and record-tying) blast of his own.

And so Philadelphia won the way it's won for most of the year -- with its power. The Phillies socked 220 homers during the regular season, which ranked third in the National League. A team-record 59 of those long balls came during the month of August -- the third-most of any team in baseball history.

With guys like Harper, Castellanos, Turner, Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto in Philly's lineup, power has been their calling card all season. Now it has them only one win away from the NLCS.

Hopefully the Phillies save some homers for Game 4 on Thursday. If they do, this series is as good as over.

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