MLB Playoff Picture 2023: Hot Takes and Top Storylines for October 24 Schedule
The second Game 7 in two nights will finalize the 2023 World Series matchup.
The Philadelphia Phillies host the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 7 of the NLCS (8:07 p.m. ET, TBS/Max). Arizona forced the final game of the series with a Game 6 victory led by its pitching.
Arizona's arms must be perfect again on Tuesday to prevent Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper and Co. from breaking out and ending the game in the first five innings.
The Diamondbacks will start Brandon Pfaadt, who gave up two hits and struck out nine batters in Game 3 to flip the series in Arizona's favor for the first time.
Pfaadt will once again be opposed by Ranger Suarez, who was equally as brilliant in Game 3 with seven strikeouts over 5.1 innings.
Pfaadt and Suarez may not last into the sixth inning of Game 7 because of how aggressive both managers have been with the pitching strategies.
All pitchers, except for the two Game 6 starters, should be available to pitch and that will give us an intriguing chess match over nine innings.
Neither Starter Makes It to the Fifth Inning
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Pfaadt and Suarez could be asked to give everything they have for one time through the order.
The two Game 7 starters were flawless over the first five innings of Game 3, but their outings could be different now that every member of both lineups have seen them pitch in person.
None of the Phillies hitters faced Pfaadt prior to Game 3. That threw off the entire order and it led to the right-hander's nine strikeouts.
D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo may not allow Pfaadt to pitch into the fifth inning on Tuesday because of the trust he has in his bullpen.
Lovullo pulled Merrill Kelly after five innings in Game 6. He could be even more aggressive with how deep his rookie Game 7 starter goes.
The D-Backs will likely use Andrew Saalfrank and Joe Mantiply to deal with Schwarber and Harper. The two southpaws could be used for the second and third times around the order for those sluggers. Kevin Ginkel or Paul Sewald would face them the fourth time around in what Arizona hopes to be a game-clinching scenario.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson did not use any of his high-leverage bullpen arms in relief of Aaron Nola in Game 6. He could use Jeff Hoffman, Jose Alvarado and Serathony Dominguez for multiple innings, if need be.
Thomson displayed no hesitation going to Hoffman in the fourth or fifth inning this postseason. He could be the first man up if Suarez gets into any danger.
Only a few hits in succession could force either manager to pull their starters. They might even get the hook after three or four frames, regardless of how they pitch, so that each manager can keep the opposing lineup off balance.
Philadelphia Wins Series at Home
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The Phillies were expected by many to close out the NLCS in Game 6.
Philadelphia suffered a rare loss inside Citizens Bank Park and its top hitters went silent. Schwarber, Harper, Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos combined to go for 0-for-16.
It can't get any worse for Philadelphia's top hitters, and it would not surprise anyone if Schwarber, Turner or Harper hit a home run in the first inning to provide a jolt into the crowd.
The Phillies should have better luck against Pfaadt this time around now that they know what his pitching arsenal looks like in person.
The home side scored six runs in the first three innings of Games 1 and 2. It needs a similar output to put Arizona's pitching staff in a tough spot.
Arizona will likely get some hits out of Ketel Marte, who has hit in every postseason game, but it has lacked production from Corbin Carroll and Christian Walker.
Carroll and Walker are a combined 5-for-41 in the NLCS. The lack of hits from the top part of the order could doom the D-Backs if they are forced into a slugging contest against Philadelphia's best bats.
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