The Philadelphia Phillies suffered more than just a loss on the scoreboard in Game 1 of the NLDS — they also lost a key player. Outfielder Harrison Bader exited the game in the seventh inning after sustaining a left hamstring strain, forcing manager Rob Thomson to make quick adjustments to his lineup.
Before the injury, Bader had been a major contributor on both sides of the ball. He brought in a run with a sacrifice fly in the second inning, took a hit-by-pitch in the fifth, and made a highlight-reel diving catch in center field to end a potential Dodgers rally.
However, by the seventh inning, it was clear something was wrong. Bader was seen grimacing before being removed from the game, and the team later confirmed a hamstring strain — leaving his status for the remainder of the series uncertain.
The Los Angeles Dodgers opened the series with a 5–3 victory over the Phillies in Game 1 at Citizens Bank Park.
When Harrison Bader exited with an injury, Nick Castellanos was brought in as his replacement — a move that immediately sparked surprise and second-guessing among fans and analysts alike.
Bader’s potential absence for Game 2 would be a significant blow to the Phillies.
Since being acquired from the Twins at the trade deadline, he has been one of Philadelphia’s most reliable performers, batting .305 with five home runs and 16 RBIs over 50 games. Beyond his offensive impact, Bader also brought stability to the outfield, providing strong range in center field that gave the corner outfielders more freedom defensively.
On a night when the Phillies desperately needed steadiness, Bader’s injury created chaos in the lineup at the worst possible time. If he’s sidelined for any length of time, Philadelphia may have no option but to rely more heavily on Nick Castellanos.
That means one of the team’s most outspoken and unpredictable players will once again be in the spotlight — all while his relationship with manager Rob Thomson remains uneasy. Rookie Johan Rojas could also get additional opportunities, though his bat has yet to show it’s ready for postseason competition.
Depth and team chemistry were expected to be Philadelphia’s biggest assets this postseason. Instead, they leave Game 1 not only with a loss, but also without a key outfielder — and a developing storyline that could hang over the rest of the series.