PHILADELPHIA — Over the past two years, Phillies-Braves has transformed into one of baseball’s best rivalries, in the vein of Yankees-Red Sox, Giants-Dodgers, or Cardinals-Cubs.
One thing it did not yet have is a signature moment.
That changed Wednesday night in Philadelphia, in the second edition of what could be an annual National League Division Series occurrence.
After word got out of postgame comments by Atlanta Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia laughing at Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper for making the last out of Game 2 in Atlanta, their series resumed at Citizens Bank Park for Game 3.
Harper responded to the barbs by hitting two long home runs, staring down Arcia as he rounded the bases both times and fanning the flames of this postseason’s hottest matchup.
With star power on both sides, two passionate fan bases providing raucous backdrops — and even the mascots getting into the mix — there is no shortage of entertainment, even before you mix in the potential for bulletin board material.
“They’re obviously a tough squad,” said Phillies starter Aaron Nola, who captured the Game 3 win.
“They won the division six years in a row. And it’s pretty cool to match up with them again in the NLDS for the second year in a row. Just got two really good clubs going against each other.
“I feel like we want to face really good competition. I mean, everybody’s good competition this time of year, but the Braves are exceptionally good, and we know that. I feel like we usually play them pretty good — and it’s always a fun series.”
If we’ve learned anything from watching these two teams go toe-to-toe for two consecutive postseasons, it’s that this rivalry gets even better with each new matchup.
It started last year, when the 87-win Phillies beat the 101-win Braves 3-1 in a division series that made headlines for Rhys Hoskins’ bat spike following a crucial three-run homer in Game 3.
This year, it intensified with a comeback for the ages in Game 2, featuring a game-saving catch by Michael Harris II that led to Harper getting doubled off on first (and set up Arcia’s postgame comments).
On Wednesday night, it was the Phillies’ turn to make a statement, when Harper’s long balls — and subsequent stare-downs of Arcia — showed the growing animosity.
