Game: Arizona Diamondbacks @ Philadelphia Phillies
Time: 8:07 p.m.
Odds: Diamondbacks +147, Phillies -160
Total: 7.5
It’s Game 1 of the NLCS tonight in Philadelphia where the favored Phillies host Arizona. One thing the Phillies will look to do is keep rookie Corbin Carroll off the bases. Carroll was responsible for 54 of the Diamondbacks’ 166 steals during the regular season. That was second-most in the major leagues only to the Cincinnati Reds’ 190. Carroll, however, was only able to steal one base as the Phillies defeated the Diamondbacks in four of the season series’ seven games.
Atlanta was only successful in stealing two bases in the National League Division Series thanks to Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto. The fourth-seeded Phillies defeated the top-seeded Braves in four games. That means that tonight’s starter Zack Wheeler (1-0, 2.08 ERA postseason), who was supposed to start Game 5 of that series, got an extra two days of rest.
The 33-year-old Wheeler recorded a win over the Miami Marlins in the wild-card round, pitching 6.1 innings, allowing one run, and striking out eight. In 6.1 frames against Atlanta in the NLDS, he gave up three runs (two earned) while striking out 10, but was not involved in the decision. That game was the only loss for the Phillies in the series against the Braves.
After splitting a pair of decisions with the Diamondbacks during the regular season, Wheeler is 6-3 with a 2.96 ERA in 11 career appearances (all starts) against Arizona. He allowed one run on four hits in six innings of a 15-3 thrashing of the DBacks on June 13. He allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits, including two home runs, in six innings of a 6-3 loss to Arizona on May 22.
Wheeler would be smart to approach Carroll and Gabriel Moreno with caution. In the postseason, Carroll is 7-for-17 (.412) with two home runs, four RBIs, and six runs. Moreno has hit three home runs in five games for the fifth-seeded Diamondbacks.
After X-rays on his right hand yielded negative results, Moreno is anticipated to be in the starting lineup tonight. He sustained an injury after Chris Taylor of the Dodgers fouled off a bunt attempt on Wednesday. Arizona ended up beating Los Angeles 4-2 to clinch the National League Division Series.
Right-hander Zac Gallen (2-0, 3.18) will start for the Diamondbacks on Monday. He has performed admirably in both of his postseason outings. He assisted Arizona in sweeping both the Milwaukee Brewers (in the wild-card round) and Dodgers (in the NLDS) by allowing just two runs on five hits in each of his postseason starts.
On May 24, Gallen also gave up two runs on five hits in 5.1 innings in a no-decision against Philadelphia. In five career appearances (all starts) against the Phillies, Gallen is 3-1 with a 2.22 ERA. Merrill Kelly, a right-hander, will likely get the ball in Game 2.
The Diamondbacks are facing a dangerous team in Philadelphia. The Phillies were able to win five out of six playoff games thanks to Trea Turner (12-for-24, two home runs, three RBIs, and five runs) and Nick Castellanos (9-for-23; four home runs, five RBIs, and six runs).
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