On his birthday, Bryson Stott rewards the Phillies' belief in him with a clutch late-inning hit

The belief has always been that Bryson Stott would come through in the biggest moments.

The data showed something different when looking at the 2024 season as a whole. Stott hit just .245 with an OPS of .671, hitting 11 home runs and driving in 57 runs this season, a a far cry from where he was a year ago. The numbers were even worse with runners in scoring position, as Stott hit just .229 with runners in scoring position and an OPS of .589.

Stott's start to the postseason wasn't in his favor either. He was one for six through 16 innings of the National League Division Series against the New York Mets, with his only contribution at the plate being thrown out on the base paths after delivering a single.

With Bryce Harper at third, Nick Castellanos at first and the Phillies with a one-run lead, it was time for Stott to deliver. The Phillies certainly knew Stott had a shot in him that would change the course of the series.

“The moment didn’t get too big there,” Kyle Schwarber said. “The numbers would say he’s up and down, right? I feel like watching him all year, the work he's done, the results he's gotten, could be bad luck. He was a guy who just kept going and did that. I don't think any of us were shocked by the result.”

Stott's two-run triple in the bottom of the eighth inning that gave the Phillies the lead was the breakthrough they needed to regain control of the series. Even if that wasn't the case Winning goal that leveled the seriesIt gave the Phillies' offense the momentum it needed to pull through after the Mets tied it again in the ninth.

“If Stott leaves, that will be a big role for us,” said Schwarber. “He brings dynamism to the base paths.” He's also a great baserunner. He’s a guy who can drive runs.”

Stott was certainly waiting for his chance to break through in this offense. Phillies manager Rob Thomson placed Stott fifth Alec Bohm sat on the benchwhich again showed his belief that Stott would come through for them.

When Stott reached third base and beat his chest, faith was rewarded.

“This is great for him,” Thompson said. “I thought his hitting was good today. He actually swung a first-pitch fastball, which I like to see every now and then. He ran counts and barely hunted. And then he comes through.” a great hit on the triple, line drive down the line. I was really happy with him.

Stott's confidence never wavered, even when he had two so-called strikes against him. With the game on the line and Mets closer Edwin Diaz coming on, Stott knew what was coming.

“You have to be ready for 100,” Stott said. “And (I) have confronted him in the past and with two punches he threw radiators at me. At the beginning of the year it was a radiator. Then, two hits, it was a slider again. So you are, so to speak.” On time. If you are on time to the heater, you can adjust it on the slider remained at the top. That was good.

The Phillies stuck with Stott all season, knowing he would be there for them when they needed it most – on his birthday, no less.

A birthday Stott will never forget.

“Pretty close to the top,” Stott said. “Probably at the top. That was fun.”