José Alvarado
While the offense was home run-heavy again, the team left seven runners on base, making the end of the game a bit dicier than it needed to be.
With Wheeler lifted from the game after six innings, manager Rob Thomson turned to his bullpen. After Seranthony Domínguez got into some trouble in the top of the seventh, committing a throwing error on a would-be double-play ball that ultimately led to a run for Arizona, José Alvarado was called upon with one on and two outs.
The left-hander shut the door and got out of the inning with a two-run lead intact.
The Phillies brought him back out for the top of the eighth inning, trying to bridge the gap to closer Craig Kimbrel in the ninth, and Alvarado did Alvarado things:
Vino a sacar 4 outs y lo logró, José Alvarado sigue intratable en esta #postseason. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wuFadIxqNq
— MLB Venezuela (@MLBVenezuela) October 17, 2023
It only took the reliever 15 pitches to get through 1 1/3 innings and stop any momentum Arizona was building.
After the game, Realmuto noted how important Alvarado is to this bullpen and team, according to Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia: "He's a show-stopper out there for us. Any time we get in trouble with a lead — sixth, seventh, eighth, it doesn't matter when it is — he's usually coming in to face the toughest part of the lineup in the toughest spot. You can't say enough about how important he's been for us."
The more Thomson continues to have short leashes for starters, the more Alvarado and other relievers will have opportunities to shine under the brightest of lights.
Game 2 of the NLCS is scheduled for Tuesday night at 8:07 p.m. ET. The Phillies will look to their pitching to stay steady and their offense to stay hot as they send ace No. 2, Aaron Nola, to the mound.