The Philadelphia Phillies comfortably won the first two games of the National League Championship Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
While they looked like the better team in those two contests (especially in the second, which they won 10-0), Philadelphia still needs to ace an important test: playing at Chase Field, in front of a raucous pro-D-Backs crowd.
That will happen on Thursday, as the teams gear up to play Game 3.
Arizona’s prolific offense in the Wild Card round and the Division Series suddenly went cold.
They have scored just three runs in the first two games of the NLCS, and there needs to be a wake-up call.
Manager Torey Lovullo is shaking things up in the lineup ahead of the play ball voice on Thursday.
“The D-backs indeed shuffle the lineup for Game 3 with Tommy Pham in the outfield, CF Alek Thomas out of the starting lineup, and Gabriel Moreno moving to the third spot,” MLB insider Bob Nightengale tweeted.
The D-backs indeed shuffle the lineup for Game 3 with Tommy Pham in the outfield, CF Alek Thomas out of the starting lineup, and Gabriel Moreno moving to the third spot https://t.co/IhAlEKrrfM
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 19, 2023
Alek Thomas served as the center fielder in the first two games, but he doesn’t have a hit in the first two games of the series and will head to the bench.
Tommy Pham had been playing as the designated hitter but will now replace Thomas as an outfielder, although it is unclear if he or Corbin Carroll will play center.
Gabriel Moreno had been one of the hottest hitters in the D-Backs offense prior to the NLCS.
He had been hitting fifth, but will now be in the third spot, just ahead of the cleanup batter.
Let’s see if the changes re-ignite Arizona’s offense at home.
NEXT: Diamondbacks Experienced A Painful First In Game 2
