NLCS matchups: Breaking down Diamondbacks, Phillies strengths and weaknesses
The Diamondbacks got their first taste of Citizens Bank Park on Sunday evening, when they held a team workout ahead of Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Monday. Here's what you need to know about the matchup, as the Diamondbacks seek to return to their first World Series since 2001:
Diamondbacks preparing for crowd noise in Philadelphia
The Diamondbacks know there is no replicating the environment they will play in over the next two days at Citizens Bank Park, but they are doing what they can to combat it anyway.
Throughout a simulated game Friday at Chase Field, they piped in fake crowd noise. At one point, manager Torey Lovullo texted the workers running the sound system to increase the volume.
The goal was not just to create an uncomfortable environment, but to work on communicating via hand signals.
“It was a little more on the annoying side,” starter Zac Gallen said, “which I think honestly might have been beneficial.”
The simulated game was also intended to help the Diamondbacks combat the four-day layoff between games, a point of contention during the Division Series as three of the four teams to receive byes crashed out.
—Theo Mackie
Powerful matchup
On paper, the Phillies would appear to have the obvious edge in the power department: Their 220 homers during the regular season were the third-most in the league while the Diamondbacks tied for 10th with 166.
However, if the Diamondbacks continue to swing the bats the way they have through five postseason games, the gap might not be as wide as it appears.
Both clubs have hit 13 homers in the postseason, with the Diamondbacks playing one fewer game.
“I think when things feel like they're running on all cylinders as an offense, it's about protecting each other,” Diamondbacks slugger Christian Walker said. “Knowing that the guy behind you is going to put together a good at-bat and could be dangerous in the eyes of the opponent, they’re forced to pick who they’re going to go after.”
Gallen said that while the power is the first thing that jumps out about the Phillies’ lineup, they present more challenges than just the long ball.
“They’re an experienced lineup,” Gallen said. “They take their walks. I think they have a lot of things going for them for sure. It’s not one-dimensional by any means, and I think that poses a challenge for any pitcher.”
—Nick Piecoro
How to watch: Diamondbacks vs. Phillies NLCS schedule, TV, how to watch, stream
Phillies boast deeper rotation than Diamondbacks
Atop their rotation, the Phillies have two excellent starters in Zack Wheeler, who had a 3.61 ERA this season, and Aaron Nola, who had a 4.46 ERA but a long history of being a front-line starter before that. The Diamondbacks, though, can combat that with Gallen and Merrill Kelly, who have both been fantastic.
The difference could be in Games 3 and 4. The Diamondbacks have question marks in those spots, with the talented but inconsistent rookie Brandon Pfaadt in Game 3 and either the struggling Ryne Nelson or a bullpen game likely for Game 4.
The Phillies, meanwhile, have Ranger Suárez in Game 3. Suárez has a 4.18 ERA and figures to pitch deeper into the game than Pfaadt. In Game 4, they’re likely to pitch former Diamondback Taijuan Walker, who had a 4.38 ERA on the season, though that number ticked up to 5.43 in August and September.
—Theo Mackie
In contrast to Diamondbacks, Phillies bullpen filled with power
Among the Phillies’ relievers who figure to pitch in high-leverage roles during this series, only Matt Strahm has an average fastball velocity under 95 mph. The rest of their top arms include Craig Kimbrel, Gregory Soto, José Alvarado and Seranthony Domínguez. Respectively, those pitchers average 96, 99, 99 and 98 on their fastballs.
“It's about the preparedness,” Lovullo said when asked about combatting that velocity. “We've got all of our information in the bucket, in the hopper right now, and we're going to pull it out and give it to the players and have those conversations, have those meetings with the players.”
It’s a stark contrast in styles to the Diamondbacks. Although the Diamondbacks’ bullpen has been vastly improved over the past two months, none of their high-leverage relievers throw harder than Kevin Ginkel, whose fastball averages 96 mph.
—Theo Mackie
Follow Game 1 coverage: Diamondbacks-Phillies NLCS news, updates
Under control
The Diamondbacks might not have the same personnel as they did early in the year when they built their reputation as an aggressive baserunning team, but they’ll still try to steal or take extra bases when they’re available.
It remains to be seen if bags will be there for the taking against the Phillies as often as they are against other teams.
Part of the reason for that: The Phillies’ J.T. Realmuto has one of the best throwing arms and one of the quickest exchanges of any catcher in baseball. Another factor, according to Realmuto, is that the Phillies began paying more attention to controlling the running game late in the season.
“We’re going to try to keep them off the bases, but when they do get on, we’re going to have to really pay attention to them,” Realmuto said. “Some extra picks, some back-picks, changing up our times. Because that’s what they do well (run the bases). That’s one of the things they do really well, so we’re going to have to combat that.”
The Phillies have allowed two steals in four attempts in six postseason games. The Diamondbacks have stolen seven times in 10 tries.
—Nick Piecoro
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Breaking down Diamondbacks, Phillies strengths and weaknesses in NLCS
