PHILADELPHIA - Kyle Schwarber knows the feeling of playing in a Game 7, having helped lift Chicago past Cleveland in the 2016 World Series. He understands the need to remain focused while also savoring the moment.
The Phillies find themselves in that position on Tuesday, partly because the Diamondbacks knocked Aaron Nola around in Game 6, scoring three runs in the second inning en route to a 5-1 win at Citizens Bank Park.
In the 141-year history of the franchise, the Phillies never have played in a Game 7. That changes on Tuesday night.
"It's going to be all hands on deck," Schwarber said on Monday. “It’s going to be fight, scratch, claw -- do whatever you can to score a run. Find a way to get outs. Find a way to move up an extra 90 feet. Anything that you can. Tomorrow's going to be a really exciting baseball game because anything goes. This could be it. It's exciting. It's going to be good, anxious nerves coming onto the field tomorrow. This is what you live for, going into the backyard [as a kid]. Game 7. It's going to be fun."
Ranger Suarez will start for the Phillies, and aside from Zack Wheeler, he's been the Phils most consistent starter this postseason, surrendering just one run over 14 innings. His 0.94 career ERA over six starts is the lowest in postseason history for pitchers with a minimum of five starts.
“Anytime you’ve got Ranger on the bump, we’ve got a really good chance to win,” Bryce Harper said. “He’s got a really good mindset out there. We know that he can go as long as he can and he’s going to get the job done for us.”
The Diamondbacks will turn to rookie right-hander Brandon Pfaadt. The 24-year-old was outstanding in Game 3 of the NLCS, tossing 5 2/3 scoreless innings while scattering two hits and collecting nine strikeouts.
“Only one game matters right now, and that’s tomorrow,” Harper said. “We’ve just got to get him on the plate and do our damage when we can.”
Entering Tuesday, the Phillies have played in just three winner take all games in club history, including Game 5 of the 1980 NLCS, Game 5 of the 1981 NLDS, and Game 5 of the 2011 NLDS. The Phillies are 2-1 in those contests, the lone defeat coming in 2011 to Saint Louis.
“We’re embracing it,” Schwarber said. “We’re in this spot. We deserve to be in this spot. We have a chance to play our best game tomorrow and move on to the World Series. There’s no undermining anything; that’s a good team across the way. They have the same opportunity as us tomorrow. But it’s going to be fun to put everyone’s best efforts and best everything that we’ve got tomorrow.
“That’s all we got is tomorrow.”
Keeping it Loose
Brandon Marsh has been hot this postseason, hitting .343 with a homer and four RBIs. He's also doing his best to keep the vibes high prior to Game 7.
"We know what's at stake. Everybody does, but we're just going to keep it simple. Smile, laugh, dance, and have some fun out there tonight," Marsh said.
Lineup Loyalty
Manager Rob Thomson has been criticized for his lineup construction for much of the postseason. He spoke briefly on Tuesday about his reasoning for keeping a steady hand.
"In the playoffs we're 8-4, and we're plus 31 run differential with this lineup -- basically this lineup," Thomson said. "[Bryson] Stott has the second-best batting average with runners in scoring position in our lineup, and [Alec] Bohm is third. Marsh is first. He's only had five at-bats with runners in scoring position. To move people around at this point just doesn't make much sense to me. That's my answer."
Starting Lineup
Schwarber DH
Turner 6
Harper 3
Bohm 5
Stott 4
Realmuto 2
Castellanos 9
Marsh 7
Rojas 8
Nola RHP
