D’Backs vs Phillies Preview: Can The Diamondbacks Continue Magical Run?
Arizona Undefeated Through Five Games in 2023 Postseason
There are only four teams left in the MLB Playoffs.
On the National League side, it’ll be the Arizona Diamondbacks against the Philadelphia Phillies. These teams don’t have too much in common. But the one thing they both did was earn an NLCS bid as an NL Wild Card team.
Neither team won their respective divisions. While the Phillies have more notable talent, the Diamondbacks are super young and maybe a little bit dumb! Arizona was never expected to be in this spot this year. But they don’t know any better. The young talent has helped the Diamondbacks perform high in clutch moments.
Will Arizona continue its incredible postseason run in the NLCS?
Take a look at the D’Backs vs Phillies preview for Game 1 of this NLCS.
Arizona Diamondbacks vs Philadelphia Phillies 
Day/Time:
Location: Citizens Bank Park
Will Bryce Harper Be OK?
The Philadelphia Phillies escaped the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS, winning the series 3-1. But in Game 4 of the NLDS, Bryce Harper had a scary elbow injury after a collision with Matt Olson at first base on a bang-bang play in the eighth inning.
Harper has played 36 games at first base. Because he doesn’t have so much experience, he wasn’t sure whether to go for a ground ball to his right. He had to decide to allow the second baseman to get the ball and run to first base or grab the ball and make a play with the pitcher at first.
He went to cover the bag and allowed Bryson Stott to get the ball. When Harper got to the bag, his right arm was still out over the plate, and Olson ran right through it. Harper grabbed his arm in massive pain.
Some were worried that he re-injured his elbow after his Tommy John surgery on that same elbow. But it turns out Harper just hit his funny bone. He said he’s fine and can perform against the Diamondbacks in the NLCS.
Gallen’s Facing His “Home Team”
Zac Gallen will get the first start for the Diamondbacks against the Phillies in the NLCS. He finished 17-9 with a 347 ERA and 220 strikeouts this season and was in the hunt for the NL Cy Young throughout the year. However, he’s not at the top of the MLB Cy Young odds anymore.
But he’s from South Jersey. Typically, people from South Jersey are Philadelphia fans. He was one, too.
On Sunday, he took the podium to speak to the media before the Eagles played the Jets on Sunday afternoon. He acknowledged that he would tune into the Eagles game as soon as he got off the podium. His bio on Instagram even has “Go Birds” written.
Gallen was actually a Cardinals fan growing up because of Mark McGwire. But his family and friends were mostly diehard Phillies fans. He laughed and admitted that he’s pitching for free in Game 1 because of all the tickets he’s handing out.
He’s hoping to make his family and friends proud but also wants to send them home unhappy.
Take a look at the D’Backs vs Phillies preview for Game 1 of the NLCS.
Early Odds: Run Line Philadelphia -1.5 (+130) ML Philadelphia -165, O/U 7.5 -105/-1115
âš¾ Game 1 âš¾
Monday, 8:07 p.m. ET
Zac Gallen vs Zack Wheeler
Gallen’s Undefeated In Playoffs This Season
Gallen has thrown 11.1 innings in the postseason this season. He’s allowed four earned runs, with eight strikeouts and four walks. That’s an ERA of 3.18.
But the most important thing is that he’s earned a win in both games while pitching at least five innings in both.
He had a tough assignment against the Brewers in the NL Wild Card series. He allowed two runs on five hits in six innings in that game.
Against the Dodgers, he allowed two runs in 5.1 innings.
Still, he’s only added four strikeouts in both starts. That’s maybe the one concerning thing for Gallen heading into this game.
Gallen has struck out 25.3% of batters this season, but that rate has dropped in the playoffs.
He’s struck out 24.6% of batters in the last month while holding teams to a .115 ISO and wOBA of .300. Those are above-average numbers and still ace-like numbers.
Meanwhile, the Phillies’ lineup has hit an ISO of above .185 with a wOBA of .341 against righties over the last 30 days with their projected lineup. The entire lineup has hit a wOBA of .310 or better, but Johan Rojas over the previous month. However, Philadelphia hasn’t walked very much against righties.
Wheeler is Slated To Start Game 1 of the NLCS
Most baseball fans like the Phillies in their MLB scores and predictions. But while the Phillies have more backers, both teams have faced a demanding MLB schedule in the postseason.
The Diamondbacks went through the Brewers and Dodgers, while the Phillies earned series wins over the Marlins and Braves.
Zack Wheeler is expected to pitch in Game 1 of the NLCS. The 33-year-old veteran has allowed just three earned runs in 13 innings pitched through two postseason games.
This season, he’s struck out 27.4% of batters and has held teams to a .132 ISO and wOBA of .276. He’s been even better over the last month, striking out 28.8% of batters while keeping teams to a .099 ISO and wOBA of .245.
Wheeler has earned a much higher ground ball rate recently, keeping teams to 17.9% of fly balls.
He’ll face a red-hot Diamondbacks lineup with seven batters hitting an ISO of at least .160 against righties over the last 30 days. The lineup also has six batters hitting a wOBA of at least .325. Arizona walks at a higher rate than the Phillies against righties and only has one batter striking out more than 23.4% of the time.
Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte are the two bats to watch out for.
However, the pitching matchup will make it hard for either offense to get going. Therefore, we’ll ride the Under in our D’Backs vs Phillies preview in Game 1 of the NLCS.
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