Phillies on the Brink of World Series Return: Can They Finish the Job in Game 6?
Oct. 23, 2023
The Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks will meet in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series on Monday night at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The Phillies have a 3-2 lead in the series, and they are one win away from advancing to the World Series for the second straight year.
The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, are facing elimination. They will need to win Game 6 and force a Game 7 in order to stay alive in the playoffs.
What to watch for in Game 6:
The Phillies' starting pitching: The Phillies have a strong starting rotation, led by Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Taijuan Walker. Wheeler is scheduled to start Game 6, and he is looking to bounce back from a rough start in Game 4. Wheeler gave up five runs in five innings in Game 4, but the Phillies still won the game.
The Diamondbacks' offense: The Diamondbacks have a dangerous offense, led by Ketel Marte, Alek Thomas, and Christian Walker. Marte is one of the hottest hitters in baseball right now. He is on a 14-game hitting streak, and he has a .372 batting average in the playoffs. Thomas has also been a key contributor for the Diamondbacks in the playoffs. He has five home runs and 11 RBIs in the playoffs so far.
The Phillies' bullpen: The Phillies have a deep bullpen, but they have been shaky at times in the playoffs. They have given up at least four runs in three of their five games in the NLCS. The Phillies will need their bullpen to be strong in Game 6 if they want to close out the series.
Strengths and weaknesses of the Phillies and Diamondbacks:
Phillies:
Strengths: Starting pitching, offense, bullpen
Weaknesses: Defense, lack of experience in big games
Diamondbacks:
Strengths: Offense, speed, defense
Weaknesses: Starting pitching, bullpen
The Phillies are the favorites to win Game 6 and advance to the World Series. They have a strong starting pitcher in Zack Wheeler, a deep bullpen, and a powerful offense. The Diamondbacks are a dangerous team, but they are facing elimination. I predict that the Phillies will win Game 6 and advance to the World Series.