Phillies knock out Braves again to reach NLCS vs Diamondbacks

There are four teams left fighting for the World Series trophy.

Nick Castellanos became the first player to hit multiple homers in consecutive postseason games, and the Philadelphia Phillies eliminated the Atlanta Braves for the second straight year with a 3-1 victory Thursday night in Game 4 of their National League Division Series. The defending NL champion Phillies advanced to an all-wild card NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Game 1 is Monday night in Philadelphia.

The AL Championship Series starts first, when Houston hosts rival Texas on Sunday night in a Lone Star State showdown. Justin Verlander is scheduled to pitch for the World Series champion Astros.  None of baseball’s eight playoff series so far have gone the distance.

There have been six sweeps and two best-of-five Division Series that ended in four games.

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