SAN DIEGO — Forty-three minutes before Blake SnellPetco Park – Friday, he threw the first pitch. Aaron NolaIn less than one week, he won his second playoff victory. Nola, Phillies’Start pitcher in their First home postseason game for 11 yearsBefore he was able to compete on the stage, he had only made 203 regular-season starts. He had suffered the pain of his fans. His older brother, who was a better person than most, understood his longing.
“I want to see him do really well. I really do,” Austin NolaHe said it several hours later, from all over the country. “I’ve always thought he would shine in this type of atmosphere, and just really happy to get to see him get to play in the postseason and show what he’s able to do.”
Their careers might intersect in some unexpected ways soon. Three hours and 44 minutes after he caught Snell’s opening, 98 mph fastball, Austin Nola gloved a 99 mph strike from Josh Hader. Trayce ThomsonIt was a difficult task. And the catcher’s team, like the Phillies, stood one win away from advancing to the National League Championship Series, a potential meeting of siblings that would begin in the City of Brotherly Love.
San Diego had also endured an interminable wait.
