NLCS Game 3 Preview: Phillies send Ranger Suarez to the mound in search of a commanding 3-0 series lead over the D-Backs

Drew Smith
October 19, 2023
Phillies
0 Comments

The Philadelphia Phillies will get back to business this evening in Arizona for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Diamondbacks.

Ranger Suarez will take the mound against D-Backs rookie pitcher Brandon Pfaadt, looking to earn a 3-0 series lead after the Phillies handled business at Citizens Bank Park in Game 1 and Game 2 earlier this week.

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The Phillies beat the Diamondbacks in the first two games of the NLCS winning by a combined score of 15-3, including a 10-0 win in Game 2 that ripped the hearts and souls out of this Arizona baseball team and their fanbase back home.

Zero Faith in the Diamondbacks or Bad Postseason Scheduling?

Tonight’s Game 3 first pitch will be at 5:00PM EST. Honestly, the MLB pretty much screwed over the Diamondbacks with this start time. That means out in Arizona, the game will start at 2PM, and if ticket prices indicate anything, fans are not planning on showing up tonight, with prices as low as $16 on marketplace apps like Seat Geek.

NLCS Game 3 – Ranger Suarez vs Brandon Pfaadt

The D-Backs will send Brandon Pfaadt to the mound, opposing Ranger Suarez. Pfaadt has allowed three earned runs over seven innings in the postseason against the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In Game 1 of the NL Wild Series against the Brewers, Pfaadt coughed up three runs on seven hits in just 2.2 innings of work. In the NLDS, Pfaadt did pitch better, throwing 4.1 scoreless innings against a Dodgers team that looked completely lost on at the plate. He carried a 5.72 ERA in the regular season, with opponents hitting .282 with a .862 OPS.

As for Ranger, in case you didn’t know this already, he’s been one of the Phillies’ best pitchers in the postseason over the last two seasons. This year, Suarez is 1-0 with a 1.04 ERA in two starts. He is 3-0 with a 1.16 ERA and one save in seven career postseason appearances (five starts).

Looking Ahead at NLCS Game 4: After the D-Backs go with Pfaadt, they are basically looking at a bullpen game for Game 4 against what’s likely to be a combination of Walker, Sanchez, and the bullpen for the Phillies.

At The Plate: Phillies ‘Scorched Earth’ Mode Activated

The Phillies have hit 19 home runs in the postseason, led by Nick Castellanos, who has accounted for five of them while hitting .345 from the dish.

As the number of home runs clearly indicate, Castellanos isn’t doing it alone. Bryce Harper is hitting .385 with four home runs and seven RBI while Trea Turner is batting a clean .500 with three homers, four RBI, four stolen bases, and eight runs scored in the postseason.

Also worth noting, JT Realmuto is batting .300 with two home runs and 10 RBI and Kyle Schwarber, who had a rough Wild Card and NLDS, now has three home runs in the first two games of the NLCS, highlighted by his two home run performance in Game 2 on Tuesday night.

NLCS Game 3 – Philadelphia Phillies at Arizona Diamondbacks – Chase Field – 5:07PM EST

TEAM	SPREAD	MONEY	TOTAL
Philadelphia Phillies	-1.5 (+120)	-132	O 9 (-114)
Arizona Diamondbacks	+1.5 (-144)	+112	U 9 (-106)

Betting Notes: Fire sale on Phillies hits. Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, JT Realmuto, doesn’t matter.

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Feels Like a Sweep

I can’t stress it enough. The NLCS has felt like a sweep since before Zack Wheeler even took the mound in Game 1 on Monday night. The D-Backs had a great run in the playoffs this season. No one is doubting that. Unfortunately, that’s nearing a sudden end.

As yourself one simple question: Can Brandon Pfaadt slow down the Phillies offense?

I certainly do not think so. Plus, much like this entire Phillies’ roster, Ranger Suarez is BUILT for the postseason. Game 3 should be easily winnable and then we roll right into a series-clinching Game 4 that as of now, will be against the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen or Zac Gallen on short rest.