3 Phillies who need to step up in the NLCS
Which players need to step up for the Phillies to return to the World Series?
The Philadelphia Phillies find themselves on the brink of another trip back to the World Series following another thumping of the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series.
The Arizona Diamondbacks now stand in the Phillies' way in the National League Championship Series, and in order to advance, they are going to need some guys to step up.
These three players will need to rise to the occasion if the Phillies are going to win their second straight NLCS.
Ranger Suárez
Is there a more underrated pitcher in the National League than Ranger Suárez? In the last two postseasons, it seems that all this Phillies left-hander does is get outs.
In his postseason career, Suárez is 3-0 with a 1.16 ERA in 23 1/3 innings for the Phillies. You can add a save to those totals, as Ranger was relied upon to close out Game 5 of the NLCS last year to send the Phillies to the World Series. He has become a bit of a Swiss Army knife for Rob Thomson to deploy as he sees fit; there doesn't seem to be a moment too big for Ranger Suárez.
Coming off back-to-back solid outings in the NLDS, where he allowed one run over 8 2/3 innings in two Phillies victories, Ranger will again be relied upon to be a stalwart for the pitching staff.
With Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola slotted to start Games 1 and 2 in Philadelphia, Ranger will be relied upon in Game 3 out in Arizona against a formidable Diamondbacks lineup. A few more strong outings from Suárez should have the Phillies crowned National League champions once again.
Kyle Schwarber
Lost in the excitement of the Philadelphia Phillies returning to the NLCS is the fact that Kyle Schwarber really has yet to get going this postseason.
Through the first six games, Schwarber is slashing .160/.222/.240 with zero home runs and one run batted in. Coming off a season where he slugged 47 home runs and drove in 104 runs, his overall production has been disappointing so far. However, it has been overlooked because the other big bats in the Phillies' lineup have come alive.
With that said, it's easy to forget that Schwarber started very slow last postseason before exploding in the NLCS against the San Diego Padres and was a big reason why the Phillies won that series. In last year's Championship Series, Schwarber smashed three home runs and hit .400 with an OPS of 1.571. This was highlighted by his 488-foot Schwar-bomb, crushed deep into the San Diego night.
488 feet! 120 mph! Kyle Schwarber, oh my goodness. 😱 pic.twitter.com/Mh4VGR4E2B
— MLB (@MLB) October 19, 2022
It's also easy to see a scenario where the big left-hander gets going again soon; he has notoriously been a strong postseason performer, and the Diamondbacks don't exactly have the best pitching staff outside of Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly.
Another big series from Kyle Schwarber will go a long way for a Philadelphia Phillies return trip to the Fall Classic.
Bryce Harper
Okay, this one is a bit obvious and almost feels like cheating. The Philadelphia Phillies go as Bryce Harper goes; if he has another big series, it's hard to envision a scenario where they come up short.
Notice I said another, as Bryce has already been otherworldly this postseason. He is fresh off the NLDS, where he slashed .462/.611/.1.154 and crushed three home runs, setting the record for most career home runs in NLDS history with 10.
If the past two postseasons have proven anything, it's that there doesn't seem to be a moment too big for Harper. Time and time again, he has risen to the occasion for the Phillies.
Anchored in the middle of the Phillies lineup, it will be interesting to see how Arizona decides to approach Harper, as the Diamondbacks lack a strong left-handed reliever out of their bullpen.
Joe Mantiply and Andrew Saalfrank will likely be tasked with pitching to Harper in key spots late in games, and I am not sure how much confidence that should instill in Arizona fans. Mantiply posted a 4.62 ERA this season, while Saalfrank is a 26-year-old rookie with 12 career appearances under his belt. Granted, Saalfrank has yet to allow a run in his career, but this is Bryce Harper we're talking about.
You have to think there is due to be an iconic moment or two on the horizon from Harper, and that doesn't bode well for the Diamondbacks. A couple more of these moments, and the Phillies should be able to retain their National League crown.