While Game 3 of this NLCS had a rough ending for the Philadelphia Phillies, they're still in the driver's seat, up 2-1 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Despite playing a solid game defensively and getting another outstanding start from Ranger Suárez, the scorching hot Phillie bats fell shockingly silent, and a couple of bullpen miscues led to the visiting side's eventual 2-1 downfall.
Cristopher Sánchez will be on the mound for the Phillies to start Game 4, but it's unclear how long manager Rob Thomson plans to let him go. Taijuan Walker should also be available out of the bullpen. Both pitchers haven't pitched in a meaningful game since the end of the regular season but threw short simulated games last weekend.
The Diamondbacks will be countering with a full-fledged bullpen game, with lefty Joe Mantiply getting the start. How manager Torey Lovullo plans to deploy his relievers after that is a mystery. After the Diamondbacks reworked their bullpen near the end of the season, they finished the year strong, with a combined 2.31 ERA through September.
If Sánchez can get the Phillies some quality innings early on and the bats wake up, the Phillies have a good shot at taking a 3-1 series lead into Saturday's final tilt in the desert.
NLCS 2023: How to watch the Philadelphia Phillies today (October 20)
With Game 5 of the ALCS scheduled as the first game on the MLB slate today, the Phillies and Diamondbacks take the 8:07 p.m. ET prime time slot again.
Here's everything you need to know in order to catch tonight's critical Game 4 of the NLCS between the Phillies and Diamondbacks:
- Date: Friday, October 20th
- Game Time: 8:07 p.m. ET | 7:07 p.m. CT
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- Stadium: Chase Field
- National TV Channel: TBS
- Live Stream: TBS App