Bank heist | Sports Daily Newsletter

As Bryson Stott came up to bat to lead off the sixth, the Citizens Bank Park crowd sang the now-iconic refrain of his walk-up song.

But in reality, the Phillies were far from a-OK. And after taking a 2-0 NLCS lead, they’re heading for their offseason homes just 366 days after they clinched the 2022 pennant. Meanwhile, the 84-win Arizona Diamondbacks are heading to the World Series, where they’ll face another wild-card team in the Texas Rangers.

There is a lot to unpack, whether it’s Rob Thomson’s managing or the big-money bats going silent when it mattered most. But maybe the biggest query is the simplest one.

How did it come to this?

That’s the question that will dog the Phillies all the way to Clearwater.

⚾ Where the Phillies stand: With the 4-2 loss in Game 7, the Phillies’ season is over.

— Maria McIlwain, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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❓ Let it all out. What’s your most devastating Philly sports moment and why? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

The Diamondbacks are slithering back to the desert to get ready for a World Series that seemed so close for the Phillies just a day ago. The wound is still so fresh, it’s not time yet to make big statements or rash judgments.

But some facts remain. Chiefly, that baseball is hard. It’s hard to beat your opponent four times in seven tries. And it’s really hard to hit big-league pitching. It may sound cliché, but it was evident in the combined 0-for-8 posted by sluggers Nick Castellanos and Trea Turner and the team 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position that will haunt the Phillies all offseason.

If the sting of defeat feels familiar, you aren’t alone. Just a few months ago, Joel Embiid, James Harden, and the Sixers were walking off the court after blowing a 3-2 lead against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Marcus Hayes explores those parallels.

Next: The Phillies head into the offseason following the Game 7 loss with a few big questions to answer.

The Eagles not only acquired a safety with impressive credentials in Kevin Byard, but also one who has been known to be a leader on and off the field. He’ll help stabilize Sean Desai’s injury-riddled secondary and could hit the practice field for the Eagles as soon as today.

Next: The Eagles visit the Washington Commanders at 1 p.m. Sunday (Fox29).

Even before James Harden’s status with the 76ers was uncertain, Tyrese Maxey had a plan. The 76ers point guard drilled on how to get the ball to teammates in a variety of ways, preparing himself to be a lead guard, with or without Harden on the roster. That attention to detail appears as if it will pay off for Maxey, who is set to spearhead the offense in the Sixers’ season opener on Thursday. Coach Nick Nurse has often talked about Plan A and Plan B when discussing the Harden saga. As for Maxey, he is “ready for Plan C, D, all the way down to Z.”

Next: The Sixers open the 2023-24 season at the Milwaukee Bucks at 7:30 p.m. Thursday (TNT).

The Union may be limping somewhat into the postseason, but help is on the way in the form of right back Olivier Mbaizo. He’s back from a knee injury suffered during national team duty with Cameroon, just in time for the Union’s first-round playoff opener against New England.

Jonathan Tannenwald has more on Mbaizo’s return and how to watch Saturday’s game.

Next: The Union open the MLS playoffs against the New England Revolution on Saturday at Subaru Park (5 p.m., Apple TV).

Lions tamed: James Franklin takes the blame for Penn State’s loss to Ohio State.

Defense dilemma: Rasmus Ristolainen’s “setback” and Marc Staal’s injury leave the Flyers with decisions to make.

Their take: Here’s what opposing coaches had to say about Villanova’s men’s and women’s basketball teams, which were both picked to finish fourth in the Big East.

Becoming a Bear: The story behind this Perkiomen Valley senior guard’s “miracle” commitment to Kutztown.

We asked you: Who leads the Eagles in career passing yardage and touchdowns?

Answer: C: Donovan McNabb. Tom G. was first with the correct answer.

For the first time in over a decade, the Eagles wore their kelly green uniforms, last seen in the hectic 2010 season. That year, the anticipated Kevin Kolb era was derailed due to his concussion and injuries to other key players — that’s until Michael Vick emerged as a surprising savior, sparking a quarterback debate. In Episode 3 of unCovering the Birds, Eagles beat reporter Jeff McLane explores this chaotic Kelly Green era and the unexpected season that followed. Listen here.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Scott Lauber, David Murphy, Marcus Hayes, Josh Tolentino, Gina Mizell, Jonathan Tannenwald, Seth Engle, Jeff Neiburg, Colin Beazley, and Josh Verlin.

Still in shock? I’ll be back tomorrow with more on the Phillies’ incredible season — as well as the biggest storylines from the Sixers, Eagles, and more. — Maria