On Tuesday night, the Arizona Diamondbacks learned that facing the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park is not, in fact, "like a WBC game."
D-Backs starter Merrill Kelly stirred the pot before the game, comparing the energy in Philadelphia to a World Baseball Classic game in Miami. While the crowd in South Florida was undoubtedly boisterous, there's nothing quite like Philly in Red October.
That became abundantly clear when Trea Turner teed off on Kelly in the first inning, sending the ball speeding off his bat to deep left-center field. The Phillies jumped out 1-0 and never relinquished the lead.
Turner, who responded politically to Kelly's comments before the game, let his play do the talking. Kyle Schwarber later added two home runs of his own, leading fans to recall the 30-year-old's dominant NLCS series last season. It's his time of year.
So, in an article focused on blaming Diamondbacks... you have to start with the pitcher and lead media instigator.
3. Merrill Kelly couldn't keep Phillies' bats (or crowd) in check
Kelly went 5.2 innings. He gave up three hits (all home runs), three walks, and four earned runs. That has been the story for just about every pitcher the Phillies have faced lately. Not too many hits are needed when every one leaves the ballpark.
Not only could Kelly not deliver on the mound, but he gave the Phillies a boatload of bulletin board material before the game. It's not hard to not talk about the crowd or one of the Phillies' red-hot bats.
Philly fans are different. The fanbase willfully took Spencer Strider's comments about fan noise out of context to berate the Braves' ace. When Orlando Arcia made fun of Bryce Harper, the Phillies' superstar followed it up with two home runs the next game.
Point of the story? Don't. Talk. About. Philadelphia.
2. Tommy Pham failed to take advantage of Ketel Marte's hot bat
Ketel Marte has been sizzling for the Diamondbacks all postseason. On a night with precious few base-running opportunities for Arizona, Tommy Pham came to the plate with a runner on base twice. He couldn't get the job done.
The Diamondbacks' DH finished the game 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. After a strong NLDS, Pham has now gone hitless in consecutive games to begin the championship series. He is positioned in the No. 3 spot for this express purpose — to take advantage of high-leverage opportunities behind Corbin Carroll and Marte. He needs to be better.
Pham has been respectable since arriving in Arizona at the trade deadline. In 50 regular season games and 195 at-bats, he slashed .241/.301/.415 with six home runs and 32 RBIs. The Mets traded Pham to tank, which allowed the 35-year-old slugger a chance to compete for the World Series. If he doesn't get his swing back on track, however, the D-Backs run the risk of fizzing out on the doorstep of history.
There is reason for confidence as the series shifts back to the desert. Pham's postseason has been largely excellent — .269/.385/.681 with one home run, one RBI, and a walk going into Game 2. Without the Phillies' vociferous crowd in his ear, perhaps Pham can get back to regular form as the Diamondbacks look to stave off elimination.
1. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. once again struggles under pressure
A strong season from 30-year-old Lourdes Gurriel Jr. earned him his first career All-Star berth. In the postseason, he entered Game 2 slashing .200/.360/.560 with five hits, one home run, four RBIs, and six strikeouts. It has been a bumpy road, and he hit a pothole in Game 1 of the NLCS with a grave 0-for-4 performance.
It... wasn't much better in Game 2. Again, he left runners stranded when the Diamondbacks had few opportunities to score. Arizona only had two baserunners once all game, in the third inning, and it ended scoreless with a Gurriel out. On the night, he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
Gurriel can't be blamed for getting the only real chance with a runner in scoring position, but sometimes, that's how the cookie crumbles. He's the All-Star and a leader on the team. If he can't execute under pressure, the Diamondbacks are in for a long NLCS.
Arizona now heads home in dire need of a victory. The lineup has been smacking dingers all postseason and putting serious pressure on elite offenses in Los Angeles and Milwaukee, but Arizona has run headlong into a brick wall in Philadelphia. Remove the Phillies' home-field advantage, however, and the outlook is a bit brighter for the D-Backs. Still, Arizona has to play perfectly at home and steal one in Philly to win this series. That's a difficult challenge.
