Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies Peg Starting Pitchers For Game 7 of NLCS

The Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks are set to face off in Game 7 of the NLCS on Tuesday, and two pitchers will be tasked with starting their teams' nights off on the right foot.

Lefty Ranger Suárez has been pegged as the Phillies' Game 7 starter, while rookie right-hander Brandon Pfaadt will take the mound for the Diamondbacks. The stakes couldn't be higher for the two hurlers, as the winner will advance to the World Series.

Suárez has made three starts so far this postseason, and he has a 0.64 ERA in those outings. The Phillies won both of his starts against the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS, but they dropped Game 3 against the Diamondbacks despite his 5.1 scoreless innings in Arizona.

The 28-year-old southpaw was a key contributor for Philadelphia on their way to the World Series in 2022 as well. Suárez put up a 1.23 ERA across three starts and two relief appearances, all five of which turned out to be Phillies wins.

Suárez started Game 5 of the NLCS last year, which turned out to be the series clincher for Philadelphia.

In the regular season, Suárez went 4-6 with a 4.18 ERA and 1.416 WHIP.

Pfaadt, like Suárez, has been on top of his game this October. After giving up three earned runs in 2.2 innings in his postseason debut, Pfaadt has tossed 10.0 innings without allowing a run in two starts since.

Through those three starts, Pfaadt has a 2.13 ERA, 0.947 WHIP and 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The Diamondbacks are undefeated when Pfaadt has started in these playoffs.

Pfaadt's regular season was more inconsistent. He went 3-9 with a 5.72 ERA, 1.406 WHIP and 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings, but he was able to rack up three quality starts on the road after the All-Star break.

First pitch for the do-or-die Game 7 is scheduled for 8:07 p.m. ET on Tuesday. The winner will face the Texas Rangers – who knocked the Houston Astros out in Game 7 of the ALCS on Monday – in the World Series.

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Check out more Arizona Diamondbacks coverage at Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Inside the Diamondbacks.

Check out more Philadelphia Phillies coverage at Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Inside the Phillies.