2023 NLCS - Games 6 and 7 @ Citizens Bank Park
Diamondbacks (84-78) @ Phillies (90-72) - PHI leads 3-2
The Snakes stayed alive by winning two out of three in Phoenix, but they will face an uphill battle heading back to Philadelphia. Rob Thomson’s Phillies are just a win away from a return to the World Series, and they have been absolutely dominant at home. Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper continue to mash in this championship series, but Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos have been quieted after electric performances against Atlanta. The bullpen (mainly Craig Kimbrel) was shaky in Arizona, blowing leads in games three and four. On the other side, Ketel Marte has been blazing hot, Alek Thomas and Gabriel Moreno have been clutch, and the back of the bullpen (Sewald and Ginkel) have been lights-out. However, star rookie Corbin Carroll has been uncharacteristically absent from the fun. If the Dbacks hope to take this series on the road, they will need him to turn it around and wreak havoc on the bases. After all, ‘Embrace the Chaos’ is the motto for Torey Lovullo’s scrappy bunch.
For the pitching matchups, Aaron Nola and Merrill Kelly face off once again for game six, with Ranger Suárez and Brandon Pfaadt in line for a game seven. Nola was excellent in game two, while Kelly struggled to keep the ball within the cozy confines of Citizens Bank Park. Suárez and Pfaadt both hurled scoreless outings into the sixth inning of game three, but the pressures of a winner-take-all game could make or break these young arms. Will the Phillies secure a second straight NL Pennant, or will the Diamondbacks claim just their second ever trip to the Fall Classic?
Audio clips from MLB.tv
PHI Radio WIP - Scott Franzke, Larry Andersen, Tom McCarthy, and Kevin Stocker
ARI Radio 98.7 - Greg Schulte, Tom Candiotti, Chris Garagiola
Catch you next time,
P.C.O.
