We don’t exactly have the series we expected in 2023. After seeing the big leading clubs quickly fall in battle, we find ourselves with unexpected championship series.
Seeing the Astros and Rangers cross swords, without being the most likely scenario, is not the biggest surprise… but it is different in the National.
The Diamondbacks and Phillies are a combined 10-1 in the playoffs this season. The two teams are not the Braves or the Dodgers, which is a surprise.
But at the moment, when we look at the two clubs, we can see that they look like a steamroller. It will be hard to slow everyone down, clearly.
Who will manage to do better during the National championship series, which will start on Monday on the Pennsylvania side?
Let’s analyze the forces involved.
Starting pitchers
Both teams have excellent starting pitchers. The Phillies will start with Zack Wheeler and then Aaron Nola.
The DBacks will respond with their two big Aces, Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly.
Brandon Pfaadt and Ranger Suarez are the options for the Diamondbacks and Phillies on the sidelines for Game #3. Both can get the job done.
What about a #4 starter? On both sides it’s thin – unless you’re a huge Taijuan Walker fan, obviously.
Relievers
The Phillies relievers, as mentioned on the MLB websiteare better at throwing with velocity and striking out guys.
Craig Kimbrel is currently the reliever who seems to be trusted in Philly to close the books. Orion Kerkering is also a reliever to watch.
Paul Sewald is the big reliever there and many unknowns complement him. That said, the formula is working at the moment.
For what? Because the earned run average of the relievers of both teams has been excellent since the start of the series.
Hitters
Bryce Harper. JT Realmuto. Kyle Schwarber. Nick Castellanos. Trea Turner. Bryson Stott. Alec Bohm. No need to tell you that it’s very, very threatening.
But don’t think you should underestimate the Diamondbacks. Because if you do it, the club manager will remember it.
Corbin Carroll, Christian Walker, Ketel Marte, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Gabriel Moreno, to name a few, did well in the playoffs.
Alek Thomas, Tommy Pham and Evan Longoria brought secondary production, them.
Defensive
Behind the plate and in center field, with the Phillies, things are fine. When Brandon Marsh plays on the left, it solidifies everything.
But elsewhere, it’s not perfect.
In Arizona, the club is really excellent defensively. When Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is the go-to hitter, the outfield is truly dominant.
It’s rare in this series, but DBacks advantage.
Managers
Bruce Bochy and Dusty Baker… oh no, that’s in the other series. And let’s say it’s a storyline very important in the Texas series.
But don’t underestimate Torey Lovullo and Rob Thomson just yet. Both men are in the championship series for a reason and they have the Berrouard seal of approval.
Lovullo still managed to put the DBacks out of misery. He took his club to the playoffs in 2017 and guided the club’s rebuild in a big way.
And Rob Thomson, meanwhile, is incapable of losing before the championship series. He knows how to manage a club in the playoffs, as we understand.
Imponderables
Obviously, the biggest imponderable is the crowd. The Phillies will have a huge advantage over the Diamondbacks in this regard since Philly fans are truly crazy.
That said, the stadium in Arizona has a swimming pool in the outfield. #AdvancedStats
Farce aside, another imponderable in the Phillies’ advantage is experience. Last year, the Phillies paid the price of a presence in the World Series and the DBacks were at home.
But fans of the Diamondbacks (who are in the playoffs for the first time since 2017) will argue that the Phillies missed the playoffs from 2012 to 2021 before reaching the World Series. Good point, Jacques.
Note that this will be the third time in the history of the DBacks that they will be in the championship series. The fans are hungry right now, we agree.
Note that oddsmakers like the Phillies’ chances better than those of the DBacks.
