Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce has always been a passionate supporter of the city’s sports teams, but the Philadelphia Phillies’ recent loss in the National League Division Series (NLDS) struck him particularly hard.
Speaking candidly on the 94WIP Morning Show, Kelce didn’t hold back in sharing his disappointment following the Phillies’ elimination at the hands of the New York Mets.
Jason Kelce call’s out Phillies performance in MLB playoffs
When asked which playoff loss over the past few years stung the most, Kelce didn’t hesitate.
“I think it’s this year because this is the team that underachieved,” he remarked.
The Phillies, who boasted a 95-win season and claimed the National League East title for the first time since 2011, were expected to make a deep playoff run.
However, their postseason dreams were dashed when the Mets clinched the series in Game 4 with a 4-1 victory.
“This one felt like, they really hit a dud there,” Kelce added, emphasizing the disappointment felt not only by the players but also by the passionate fanbase.
After such a successful regular season, the team’s inability to perform in the playoffs left many feeling as though they had fallen short of their potential.
Phillies were on a downhill spiral before playoffs
The loss came as a shock to many, particularly considering the Phillies’ dominance throughout the season.
They had built a 10-game lead in the division, but their form faltered in the final stretch, losing eight of their last 13 games of the regular season.
The team’s struggles continued into the postseason, where their batters hit just .186 against the Mets, and their bullpen posted an 11.37 ERA, allowing 11 of 15 inherited runners to score.
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was a key player in the Mets’ victory, delivering a grand slam in the sixth inning of the final game that wiped out the Phillies’ 1-0 lead.
This moment all but sealed the Phillies’ fate, and the team’s reliever could only lower his head in defeat as the ball sailed into the Philadelphia bullpen.
