5 Phillies who absolutely need to step up for Philadelphia in NLCS Game 7
By Edward Eng
After failing to finish off the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 6 of the NLCS on Monday, having their unbeaten streak at home for the 2023 postseason broken in the process, the Philadelphia Phillies have to quickly regroup to play in the do-or-die Game 7 on Tuesday. The winner will move on to the World Series, while the loser will be sent home packing.
To ensure that the Phillies grab that elusive win, who on the team must step it up to make sure they can fulfill their destiny? Here, we take a look at five players who will need to do all they can to make it happen.
Ranger Suárez
No one will be under as much pressure as Phillies’ Game 7 starter Ranger Suárez, as the entire season will be on the line with his start. On the bright side though, the Phillies will have the exact player they want on the mound for the crucial game.
Suárez has been lights out so far in the 2023 postseason, giving up only one earned run and seven hits with 13 strikeouts in 14 innings pitched over three starts. He'll need to come up big once again to keep the Phillies’ World Series hopes alive for another week.
Alec Bohm
For someone who has been placed into the heart of the order in the prime cleanup spot for the majority of the NLDS and all of the NLCS, Alec Bohm has been somewhat of a disappointment so far during the Phillies’ postseason run.
After ranking third on the team with 97 RBI during the regular season, Bohm has yet to have a defining moment and big hit in the playoffs to help his team to victory, with only five RBI in 12 games played. It's about time for Bohm to make his mark in the most important game of the Phillies’ season on Tuesday to show everyone what he is truly capable of doing.