Nick Castellanos is in denial, or does he really believe what he just said? In a recent post-game interview, Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos found himself in a bit of a philosophical pickle after a tough loss to the Mets. With the weight of the game still hanging in the air, he took a moment to reflect—out loud—on what it meant to be the “better” team.  

Castellanos acknowledged the Mets’ strong performance after they knocked out the Phillies in Game 4 on Wednesday night, but he was hesitant to label them the better team, even in defeat. His competitive spirit shone through as he reflected on the series, expressing belief in the Phillies’ potential despite the outcome.  

Who’s the better team according to Nick Castellanos  

In a candid moment after the series, Nick Castellanos laid it all out there, balancing honesty with a glimmer of hope. “Are there things that we could have done differently? Yes. Do I think that they are a better team than us? No. But this series, they were.” His words reflected the disappointment of falling short of expectations, leaving fans and players alike wondering what could have been. The Phillies, with all their talent and potential, had stumbled at a crucial moment. Still, as frustrated as Castellanos was after the loss, he didn’t shy away from acknowledging the Mets’ performance.   

“I mean, losing sucks, man — there’s no way around it,” he said. “But instead of feeling sorry for myself, I’m gonna give them credit because right now the Mets are playing really good baseball. They’re hot.” During the NLDS, Castellanos was a standout performer, racking up an impressive 7 hits in 17 at-bats.

His contributions were pivotal, especially in Game 2, where he delivered both a game-tying home run and a walk-off hit. As the Mets gear up for this next chapter, they’ll wait to see who emerges victorious from the Padres-Dodgers series.

What made the Phillies fall behind?

So, what sent the team and Nick Castellanos home sooner than planned? A subpar offense and weak bullpen pitching. Just as in Game 1, the Phillies took a one-run lead but failed to capitalize. They left the Mets hanging in the balance, scoring one run with runners on second and third with one out in the fourth, then stranding two more in the sixth.

The Phillies led by several runs in less than half an inning over the entire series. They had a little lead in the middle innings of Game 4, but they never really seemed to be in control. Until the bottom of the sixth, the Mets were 2 for 10 when there were runners in scoring position against Ranger Suarez, demonstrating their plenty of opportunities. At that point, they loaded the bases for the third time. Francisco Lindor then hit a grand slam against Carlos Estevez to clear them, ending the Phillies’ season.  

The Mets are making their first trip to the NLCS since 2015, a monumental accomplishment for the franchise and its supporters. The Mets defeated the Phillies 4-1 in Game 4 of the NLDS because of Lindor’s potent grand slam in the sixth inning. This effectively crossed the Phillies off their October “to-do” list.

The Mets will now play the Padres or Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLCS, beginning on Sunday. Will the Mets be able to cross the finish line?