The Phillies won games 1 and 2 somewhat easily. It felt like they would be walking into the World Series. Then game 3 happened, and it was a bit of a kick to the gut. Game 4 was even worse. The bullpen blew a 5-2 lead, allowing the Diamondbacks to tie the series up. And now the Phillies have to play in a pivotal game 5 just to make sure they come back to Philly with a lead. For the Phillies, it will be Zack Wheeler on the mound. Zac Gallen pitches again for the Diamondbacks. A matchup that went very well for the Phillies in game 1.
Gallen did not have a good time when he last faced the Phillies. Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and Nick Castellanos all hit HRs off of him. By the end, he gave up 5 runs over 5 innings. It ended up being all the Phillies needed that game as Wheeler, and the bullpen, held the D Backs to just 3 runs the rest of the way. But that game took place in Philly. And Gallen is a different pitcher at home.
During the season he has a 4.42 ERA on the road, but a 2.47 ERA when pitching at Chase Field. We have seen firsthand that the dimensions of Chase Field is not the most friendly for hitters. The Phillies hit at least two balls in the two games in Arizona that would have been HRs in Philly. However, that didn’t stop Craig Kimbrel from giving up a game-tying HR in game 4. Gallen gets to pitch inside those comfy confines this time around. And some of those Solo Shots he gave up last time could now land in his outfielder’s gloves.
So can the Phillies get to him again? Or are they in trouble for game 5?