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Phillies Face D- backs for First Time Since 2023 NLCS Loss
The Philadelphia Phillies will look to exact a small measure of vengeance against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday when the teams open a three- game series in Philadelphia.
Director Rob Thomson’s club had the Diamondbacks pressed up against the ropes in the National League Championship Series last October before Arizona recorded a knockout following a pair of road triumphs in Games 6 and 7.
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Harper’s Redemption and Recent Performance
Bryce Harper had two homers, three RBIs, and seven runs in the first five games of that series before going 0- for- 7 with three strikeouts in the final two contests. Harper belted a pair of solo homers in Philadelphia’s 5- 2 setback to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday afternoon. The Phillies, however, mustered just six hits and struck out 10 times enroute to losing the finale of their three- game series before getting Thursday off.
” I think it’s well justified for everybody, it’s good to get back on the winning side of a series. Difficult loss( on Wednesday), but we still won the series and hopefully that is a trend.”
Rob Thomson
Castellanos’ Hot Streak
Nick Castellanos went 7- for- 13 with four doubles in the series against the Padres, stressed by a walk- off double in a 4- 3 win on Tuesday night.” The more inconsistent variables you can take out of hitting, the simpler hitting gets– and the easier it becomes,” Castellanos said, per the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Castellanos, however, went 0- for- 14 with six strikeouts in the former series versus the Baltimore Orioles and 0- for- 20 with 10 strikeouts in the last six games of the NLCS against Arizona.
Taijuan Walker’s Challenge
Philadelphia right- hander Taijuan Walker( 3- 2,5.33 ERA) will look to snap a six- start victory descent when he takes the mound on Friday. Walker, 31, fell to 0- 2 in that stretch after allowing three runs on six successes in52/3 innings of a 6- 2 setback to the Orioles in Baltimore on Saturday. Walker has yet to face the Diamondbacks in his career.
Diamondbacks’ Pitching and Recent Success
Arizona left wing- hander Jordan Montgomery( 5- 4,6.00) will oppose Walker. Montgomery, 31, notched his second straight win after allowing one unearned run on four hits in five innings of a 12- 5 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. He did not fare too well in his lone career regular- season encounter versus the Phillies, however, permitting five runs on six successes in four innings to take the loss in a 2020 game.
Arizona recorded its seventh win in 10 outings with a 5- 2 road victory over the Washington Nationals on Thursday afternoon. Christian Walker homered for the fifth time in eight games and team- leading 17th time of the season for the Diamondbacks, who moved within a game of.500 with the win.
” We are closing in on.500, which is not the final destination, I am proud of this team. We have taken on a lot this year. I am saying it a lot and I am sure everybody is tired of hearing me say it, but we are missing three- fifths of our starting rotation. What we have done is pretty impressive, and we are just getting better every single day.”
Torey Lovullo
Phillies’ Tribute to Cole Hamels
The Phillies will honor left- hander Cole Hamels prior to the game. Hamels played for Philadelphia from 2006- 15, stressed by being named as the 2008 World Series MVP. He’ll retire as a member of the team prior to Friday’s game.
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Crucial Matchup Phillies vs. Diamondbacks
As the series opens, all eyes will be on Harper and Castellanos as they seek redemption against the Diamondbacks. The Phillies aim to build on their recent series win and gain momentum, while the Diamondbacks look to continue their drive towards.500 and maintain their recent success.
Conclusion
Friday’s game will be an important test for both teams. The Phillies hope to conduct their desire for revenge into a strong performance, while the Diamondbacks aim to influence their recent victories and continue their climb up the standings. With crucial players in action and significant matchups on the mound, fans can anticipate an exciting and competitive series opener.
