PHILADELPHIA — We all anticipated an exciting National League Championship Series between the Padres and the Phillies. Both teams delivered in two games.
“You definitely don’t want to go 2-0 to Philly,” said Padres starter Blake Snell, who picked up the Game 2 win. “They want it to go there, or have the lead lead there, because now they have to think a little bit more. You are more nervous. They play on their heels. The stuff is real. … It’s a really good team we’re playing against. I’m excited to see how we fit together.”
Now the series moves to Philadelphia, where he will play his first NLCS game since October 21, 2010 against the Giants. And it’s a big one. In all best-of-seven series with a 1-1 draw, the winner of Game 3 has won the series 67 times out of 97 (69%). The Phillies are 2-0 at home this postseason while the Padres are 3-2 away.
“We went to Atlanta, won first, lost second,” said Phillies starter Rob Thomson. “Disappointing game. We had a day off and came home in front of 46,000 rowdy people and played really well. I expect to do the same.”
When is the game and how can I see it?
Game 3, which will air on FS1, is scheduled for Friday at 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT.
All games are available in the US on MLB.TV (requires authentication with a participating pay-TV provider). Live games are also available in select countries outside of the US. For all details click here.
Who are the starting pitchers?
Father: It’s been quite a postseason for Joe Musgrove (10-7, 2.93 ERA), who has allowed two runs spanning 13 innings. He excelled against the Mets in clincher in the NL Wild Card Series, then sneakily good against the Dodgers in clincher in the NL Division Series – allowing just two early runs on a Freddie Freeman double that crept through the infield.
Phillies: Left-handed Ranger Suárez (10-7, 3.65 ERA) will make his second start of the 2022 postseason. He battled his command in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Braves at Truist Park, allowing for a career-high five walks in just 3 1/3 innings. Somehow – maybe miraculously – he climbed just enough to allow for just one run. The Phillies are hoping for a rebound from Suárez against the Padres. On June 23, he allowed two runs in 7 1/3 innings against San Diego.
What are the starting positions?
Phillies: Philadelphia returned to its right-handed lineup against Musgrove, meaning center fielder Brandon Marsh and shortstop Bryson Stott replaced Matt Vierling and Edmundo Sosa, respectively.
Here is the match 3 lineup:
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Father: After a day off, San Diego’s bullpen will be rested with everyone available. Josh Hader gets the ball in safe situations — sometimes for more than an inning. Robert Suarez is the team’s primary setup weapon and he has been dominant this postseason. From there, the Padres have right-handers Nick Martinez and former Philly relief Luis García to cover the high-leverage spots, with Tim Hill being the primary left setup man.
Phillies: Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson will continue to mix and match his assists depending on late-inning matchups. In Game 1 on Tuesday, that meant right-hander Seranthony Domínguez fielded the eighth inning and José Alvarado fielded the ninth. In game 3 it could look like this again. Or Domínguez and Alvarado could be flipped.
“I’ve always thought that if guys can handle the moment in the ninth inning — seventh, eighth, ninth, especially the ninth — you should be able to maneuver one or more guys into that inning, depending on where you’re going are in the lineup,” Thomson said.
Father: Profar is struggling with a nagging toe injury but he’s played through the entire postseason. Despite this, Melvin twice opted to use José Azocar as a late-game replacement for Profar during the NLDS.
Phillies: The Phils go into Game 3 healthy.
Who is hot and who isn’t?
Father: Machado and Grisham have each hit three home runs this postseason and are behind only Harper and the Yankees’ Harrison Bader in this year’s playoffs. Meanwhile, Nola continues to set the table at the end of the order. Myers and Kim — while solid defensively — are scoring below the Mendoza line in the postseason.
Phillies: Harper is the seventh player in franchise history to record a seven-game hitting streak in a single postseason. He’s the first since 2009, when Ryan Howard had an eight-game hitting streak in the playoffs. Lenny Dykstra holds the franchise record for a 10-game winning streak in 1993. Domínguez and Alvarado also throw the ball well in the later innings.
Is there anything else fans would like to know?
• Musgrove’s season was truly a three-part story. He was excellent early on, then struggled in the middle before putting it back together in September. Those midseason struggles began with a June 23 start against Philadelphia. He opened the season with 12 straight games of at least six innings with two or fewer earned runs. But the Phillies tagged him for six carries that day, including homers from JT Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber.