3 intriguing Game 1 storylines to watch in Phillies-Diamondbacks NLCS

How will the Diamondbacks handle the pressure?

The final question is: how will the young players on the Diamondbacks handle the pressure of the NLCS and of playing in the crazy atmosphere of Citizens Bank Park?

The Diamondbacks, with a roster full of young players, come into the NLCS with a combined 151 games of postseason experience, with 60 of those games supplied by Evan Longoria (40) and Tommy Pham (20).

Compare that to the Phillies' combined 386 games of postseason experience, and you can see one of the reasons why Philadelphia is the favorite coming into this series.

While the Diamondbacks youngsters are all professionals and have played in big games before, including their first two series in these playoffs, nothing will have prepared them for the environment they're about to face in Philadelphia. The team did at least try to prepare them, however, by pumping in crowd noise during practices at their home park, Chase Field.

Even by turning up the volume, the playoff atmosphere at The Bank is a factor that can't be captured or duplicated. When it's rocking, the ballpark's energy has been described as crazy, raucous, wild, sheer chaos and bedlam, and it can't be quantified, at least in how it will affect opposing players.

The Phillies are used to it, and feed off of it, according to Rob Thomson.

"I think the team responds to the energy in this ballpark," Thomson said over the weekend. "I feel the same way, I feel the energy come through me as well. I think it's the best fan base maybe in all of sports."

Veteran Diamondbacks slugging first baseman Christian Walker knows what the Philly crowd is like.

"It's one of the few stadiums, atmospheres you can feel the excitement through the TV," Walker said. "Growing up a Philadelphia fan, the Eagles games have that vibe, you take pride in being that energy in the stands."

Although 32 years old, Walker himself has only seven postseason games under his belt. He explained that although it's uncharted territory and a new experience for many of the Diamondbacks, his young teammates are excited.

"Not a lot of us have been here. It's uncharted territory to some extent," Walker said. "It's exciting, it's fun, but it's cool to look around and see the excitement in your teammates' faces."

It remains to be seen how the Diamondbacks respond at Citizens Bank Park tonight, and if that excitement holds up.