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Four Phillies Storylines Ahead of the NLCS

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The Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks will play in the 2023 NLCS. The winner will face either the Houston Astros or Texas Rangers in the World Series. Philadelphia defeated the Atlanta Braves in the Division Series for the second consecutive year.

Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks emerged victorious over the Los Angeles Dodgers in impressive fashion. Arizona swept their opponent and limited their offense to two runs per game. The Diamondbacks are looking to advance to their first World Series since 2001.

Here are four storylines for the NLCS between the Phillies and Diamondbacks.

Phillies 2023 NLCS Storylines

Diamondbacks Hitters vs. Phillies’ Zack Wheeler

It will be a showdown between the top of Arizona’s lineup and Philadelphia’s top starter

The Diamondbacks’ hitters excelled against Milwaukee Brewers ace Corbin Burnes in Game 1 of their Wild Card series. The Milwaukee pitcher surrendered four runs on five hits, including three home runs, in four innings in Arizona’s 6-3 win on Oct. 3.

Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, and Gabriel Moreno all hit home runs off Burnes. Christian Walker contributed a double late in the contest to give Arizona a multi-run lead. Carroll is an impressive hitter for the club, having at least one hit in four of the five postseason games they have played so far. He has also scored six runs, demonstrating his exceptional ability on the basepaths during the playoffs.

Arizona dominated the Dodgers in Game 1 of their Division Series on Oct. 7. The Diamondbacks scored nine runs in the first two innings, including six off of Los Angeles starter Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers’ long-time pitcher only threw one-third of an inning before exiting the blowout loss.

Can the first five hitters in the Diamondbacks’ lineup repeat their dominance in Games 1 and 2 of the National League Championship Series? Phillies ace Zack Wheeler has been impressive in two postseason outings. He struck out eight batters and allowed one earned run on five hits during 6 2/3 innings against the Miami Marlins on Oct. 3.

Wheeler then dominated the Braves during the first five innings of Game 2 on Oct. 9. The Braves did not score a run until the sixth inning when he surrendered a two-run home run to cut Atlanta’s deficit to one run. He finished with solid numbers as he struck out 10 batters and allowed two earned runs, three hits, and one walk. Philadelphia will need him to be his dominant self once again in Game 1 versus Arizona.

 

Will Philadelphia’s Core Hitters Sustain Their Success?

Can Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, and Trea Turner lead Philadelphia to another World Series?

Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, and Trea Turner led the Phillies offensively against the Braves throughout the NLDS. It took a total team effort for Philadelphia to get to the NLCS for a second consecutive year. The experienced trio made a significant contribution, specifically in Games 3 and 4 in front of the euphoric fans at Citizens Bank Park.

Harper and Castellanos each hit home runs in the third inning during the Phillies offensive onslaught in Game 3. They each homered again later in the contest. Turner contributed one of the seven home runs hit by the club in total during the victory. The speedy shortstop also contributed two runs during the contest.

Game 4 was a close, instant classic much like the Braves’ rally in Game 2. However, the Phillies would get the better of their division rival during this contest to clinch the series. Turner and Castellanos were both unbelievable at the plate during this win.

Turner went 4-for-4 with a home run and a double. Castellanos, however, was the biggest difference-maker for the Phillies as his two solo home runs propelled the team to the National League Championship Series. Braves pitcher Spencer Strider kept Atlanta in the game until he surrendered the second home run to Philadelphia’s right fielder. Can Harper, Castellanos, and Turner lead the Phillies past the Diamondbacks? Other experienced Phils such as J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber could also contribute to their success.

Will some of the Phillies’ young hitters make a difference for the club offensively in the NLCS?

It would be encouraging if younger hitters on the team such as Alec Bohm (2-for-13), Bryson Stott (3-for-13), and Johan Rojas (0-for-15), could put their inconsistencies from the Divison Series behind them moving forward. All three are talented players, especially defensively, and have demonstrated their hitting ability throughout 2023.

Brandon Marsh contributed during Games 3 and 4 of the NLDS. He has developed into a reliable hitter at the bottom of the lineup for Philadelphia. The outfielder went 5-for-8 with a double, a home run, and two runs scored during the Phillies’ two victories in front of their home crowd. If the young hitters can contribute against the Diamondbacks, the Phillies will be an even tougher opponent for Arizona.

Other Phillies to Watch

Philadelphia has many other contributors who have helped them reach the NLCS

Aaron Nola (2-0, 1.42 earned run average, 12 2/3 innings pitched, and 12 strikeouts) has been excellent for the Phillies this postseason in two starts. Ranger Suarez has delivered in a more limited capacity for Philadelphia compared to Wheeler and Nola. The 28-year-old left-hander has a 1.04 earned run average in two starts with six strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings pitched. Jose Alvarado (0.00 earned run average, four strikeouts in four games) and Craig Kimbrel (0.00 earned run average, one strikeout, two saves in three games) are the relievers who are usually called upon in high-pressure situations and have done so thus far.

 

The Phillies certainly look like a team that is destined to win a championship. However, they cannot look past a Diamondbacks team that is motivated to upset them. It will take a total team effort for the Phillies to win the National League Championship Series against a hungry Arizona club.

 

Photo Credit: © Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

 

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