The Phillies are staring down the stretch run like a prizefighter in the final round. Just one more win, that’s all they need to lock up that sweet, sweet first-round bye — the kind of advantage that makes October baseball a whole lot more manageable. But what happened Tuesday night wasn’t exactly part of the script.
Miami pulled off a stunner, rallying late to edge Philly 6-5. And let’s talk about Heriberto Hernández for a second — because when you take a 101 MPH heater from Jhoan Duran and launch it into left field in the top of the ninth to tie the game, you’re not just swinging a bat; you’re swinging the momentum. It was the kind of moment that makes September baseball feel like the playoffs are already here.
Sosa Returns Just in Time to Bolster the Bench and the Gloves
But don’t panic — because here’s the good news: the Phillies still have two more cracks at the Marlins, and they’ve just reloaded the chamber. Enter: Edmundo Sosa. He’s back!
Sosa, who’s quietly been one of the most versatile weapons in Philly’s arsenal since arriving from St. Louis in 2022, is off the IL and right back in the lineup Wednesday. Batting sixth, playing shortstop — and bringing that Swiss Army knife energy that every playoff team needs. You want elite defense? Try this on for size: 26 defensive runs saved at short in just 91 innings. That’s not just “pretty good” — that’s “turn off the lights and lock the door” defense.
Don’t Be Fooled by the Numbers — Sosa Shines When It Matters
Sure, Sosa’s not cracking the starting lineup every day — Bryson Stott’s back in rhythm, Trea Turner’s on his way back, and let’s be honest, that middle infield is crowded. But Sosa’s not here to compete for everyday innings. He’s here for the moments. The ones that swing games — and sometimes, series.
Look at the numbers when the pressure’s on: a .357 average and .881 OPS in the eighth inning. A .286 average in the ninth. You don’t teach that. You just hope a guy like that is on your roster when the game’s tied in the late innings and you need a glove or a gut-check AB.
Phillies Postseason Baseball Is Built on Guys Like Edmundo Sosa
So while the spotlight’s pointed at Harper, Wheeler, and Schwarber — don’t forget who’s standing in the shadows, ready to pounce. Sosa might not be the one hitting walk-off bombs or making the highlight reel every night. But trust this: when the Phillies are deep in the trenches this October, and the margins are razor thin, Edmundo Sosa’s glove — and maybe even his bat — could be the difference between heartbreak and a champagne celebration.
The Phillies are almost there. One game left. One win. And maybe a hidden hero waiting in the wings.
