D-backs vs. Phillies NLCS Game 2 starting lineups and pitching matchup 2023

PHILADELPHIA — Until Monday’s 5-3 loss to the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in Game 1 of the best-of-seven National League Championship Series, the D-backs had not lost a game this postseason. That makes Tuesday their first chance to demonstrate the same sort of mettle that brought them to October in the first place.

Until Monday, the Phillies had spent most of the postseason as plucky underdogs rather than on-paper favorites. That makes Tuesday a prime opportunity for them to burnish their reputation while moving closer to a second consecutive National League pennant.

There’s little doubt both clubs have the correct Game 2 pitcher in place to achieve their goals. Scottsdale, Ariz., native Merrill Kelly took a shutout into the seventh inning of his first career postseason start last week against the Dodgers, and he’ll return to the mound well rested for Arizona following a 10-day layoff.

“I know it’s a different city, different team, different stadium, different fans,” Kelly said. “I would say [I’ll] try to treat it just like we’ve treated every other game in the playoffs so far … obviously not make the situation bigger than it already is.”

Philadelphia will turn to Aaron Nola, the longest-tenured Phillie, who could be entering his final weeks with the club. The impending free agent has been excellent this October, winning both his postseason starts with a 1.42 ERA.

“You like being on that stage,” Nola said. “It’s what we train for and prepare our minds for, because you have to go back and think about what you have done, and what makes you good, and what you’ve had success with. For myself, if I stay in that moment and believe that and believe I can get through things, certain situations, it can happen.”

Mathematically speaking, the Phillies have already increased their chances of winning the pennant quite a bit. In all best-of-seven postseason series, teams winning Game 1 have gone on to win the series 121 of 188 times (64%). In series using the current 2-3-2 format, teams taking a 1-0 lead at home have gone on to win 65 of 97 times (67%).

When is the game and how can I watch it?
Game 2 is tonight at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. MST at Citizens Bank Park, airing on TBS.

All series are available in the U.S. on MLB.TV with authentication to a participating Pay TV provider. Games are available live internationally (except in Canada). Full game archives are available approximately 90 minutes after the game ends.

Who are the starting pitchers?

Kelly put together another outstanding season for the D-backs, going 12-8 with a 3.29 ERA and 187 strikeouts in 177 2/3 regular-season innings. He also helped set the tone for the D-backs in the NLDS against the Dodgers when he tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings to get the win in Game 1.

Kelly faced the Phillies on June 14 at Chase Field and allowed three runs in six innings in a no-decision.

Nola is on a roll. He is 2-0 with a 1.78 ERA in his last four starts, which includes his first two starts of the postseason. He pitched seven scoreless innings in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against Miami on Oct. 4. He allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings in Game 3 of the NL Division Series against the Braves last Wednesday.

Nola has faced the D-backs only five times in his career, and only once in each of the past three seasons. He is 2-2 with a 7.67 ERA in those five starts.

What are the projected starting lineups?

D-backs: The D-backs have been pretty consistent with their lineup throughout the postseason, making only minor tweaks when a left-hander is on the mound. With another righty set to face Arizona in Nola, look for manager Torey Lovullo to go with the same lineup he rolled out in Game 1.

Phillies: Expect the Phillies to stick with their right-handed lineup against Kelly, which means Brandon Marsh in left field instead of Cristian Pache and Bryce Harper hitting third instead of cleanup.

How will the bullpens line up after the starter?

D-backs: The D-backs did not use any of their high-leverage relievers in Game 1, so they are fully gassed up and ready to go. Lovullo has been aggressive in how he’s deployed the bullpen, though he usually gives Kelly and Zac Gallen longer leashes. Paul Sewald will close, with Kevin Ginkel getting the eighth inning. Right-hander Ryan Thompson and lefty Andrew Saalfrank will see important spots before that.

Phillies: For most of the season, Phillies manager Rob Thomson alternated between right-hander Craig Kimbrel and left-hander José Alvarado as his closer. But in the postseason, Thomson has shown the willingness to use his two best late-inning relievers earlier, if needed. Alvarado and Kimbrel, for example, pitched the sixth and seventh innings in Game 4 of the NL Division Series against Atlanta. That’s because Thomson trusts his other relievers, including right-handers Jeff Hoffman, Seranthony Domínguez and Orion Kerkering and left-handers Matt Strahm and Gregory Soto.

D-backs: Outfielder Jake McCarthy was removed from the roster just before Game 1 of the Wild Card Series after suffering a strained right oblique. He is not expected back.

Right-hander Dylan Covey is on the IL with a lower-back injury.

Who’s hot, who’s not?

D-backs: It was a relatively quiet Game 1 for the Arizona bats, but coming into the series, the combination of Carroll and Marte at the top of the lineup had been a potent force. If they get it rolling early Tuesday, then Game 2 might have a very different result.

Phillies: Castellanos homered in the second inning in Game 1. It was his fifth homer in his last three games. The only other player to homer five times in a three-game span in a single postseason is Reggie Jackson in the 1977 World Series. … Harper hit a solo homer in the first inning in Game 1 (his birthday). He has homered four times this postseason, including three times in the past three games. … Turner doubled in the third inning in Game 1. He has a hit in every game this postseason.