Game: Philadelphia Phillies @ Arizona Diamondbacks
Time: 8:07 p.m.
Odds: Phillies -119, Diamondbacks +109
Total: 9
When the Arizona Diamondbacks attempt to contain the home run-happy Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series in Phoenix tonight, rookie P Brandon Pfaadt faces a challenging task. The Phillies have hit 15 home runs in the last four playoff games, which is a record for a team in a major league playoff series. Philadelphia has a 2-0 series lead after hitting three dingers in each of the first two games of the NLCS.
Kyle Schwarber hit a homer in the Phillies’ 5-3 victory in Game 1 on Monday, and he hit two more home runs in Game 2’s 10-0 rout. The four multi-home run games by Philadelphia players in this postseason are all by Nick Castellanos, who has done it twice, Schwarber, and Bryce Harper, who did it in Game 3 of the NL Division Series.
The right-handed Pfaadt (0-0, 3.86 ERA this postseason) is hoping for some home cooking to surprise the Phillies as the series moves to Chase Field. Pfaadt gave up 22 home runs in 96 innings during the regular season. He has never pitched against the Phillies. However, the 25-year-old kept the Los Angeles Dodgers guessing in his most recent appearance. He gave up two hits over 4.1 innings without allowing a run in a no-decision on October 11.
The Diamondbacks won that game to complete a sweep of the Dodgers in three games. Unfortunately, they have followed that up by batting just .129 against the Phillies. Arizona hitters have struck out 23 times in the first two games of the series.
It was announced that Zac Gallen will not start Game 4 on Friday because of the short rest. Phillies manager Rob Thomson has also not announced a starter for Game 4. He will see how Ranger Suarez (1-0, 1.04) does tonight. If Suarez wins Game 3, Philadelphia will be one win away from hosting the World Series once more.
Suarez, 28, made two starts in the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves and gave up one run on four hits in 8.2 innings. On June 14, he pitched seven scoreless innings against the Diamondbacks while scattering four hits and striking out seven. In nine career appearances (six starts) against Arizona, he is 1-3 with a 5.09 ERA.
The Phillies are now 8-1 in their last nine games. They have beaten Arizona in five straight. That includes three straight wins in the regular season. Arizona had won five straight in the postseason before losing Games 1 and 2 to Philadelphia. The DBacks are 5-2 over their last seven games and they have played well at home. They are 7-3 SU in their last ten home games. They are, however, just 1-4 SU in their last five against the Phillies at home.
The Over has hit in five of the last seven Phillies-DBacks games. The Over is also 4-1 in the Phillies last five games.
Join Oskeim Sports today and save 20% on your first purchase at the online store!