D-Backs vs Phillies NLCS Odds and Game 3 Prediction

mybookie App Download App

The Arizona Diamondbacks host their first NLCS game since 2007 on Thursday afternoon – and just their second home game in these playoffs — down 2-0 in the series against the Philadelphia Phillies, who are favored on the MLB odds to take a commanding 3-0 lead. 2023 MLB Playoffs Expert Analysis | MyBookie Sportsbook | NL Championship Series Game 3: Diamondbacks vs Phillies

How to Bet Philadelphia Phillies at Arizona Diamondbacks MLB Odds & TV Info

When: Thursday, 5:07 PM ET
Where: Chase Field
Probable pitchers (away/home): Ranger Suarez/Brandon Pfaadt
TV: TBS
Stream/gameday audio: TBS app
Opening MLB Lines: Phillies -130, Diamondbacks +110 (total 9)

Why Bet on Philadelphia?

The Phillies dominated the visiting Diamondbacks in the first two games of the NLCS by a combined score of 15-3. Philadelphia is up 2-0 in the NLCS for the second time in their 11 NLCS trips in franchise history. The only other time the Phillies were up 2-0 in a NLCS was in 2008 vs. LAD when they went on to advance (and eventually win) the World Series.

Kyle Schwarber had two solo homers in the 10-0 win in Game 2. It was the first multi-homer game of his playoff career and 12th multi-homer game by a Phillie all-time in the postseason. Schwarber now has 18 career postseason home runs, tied with Reggie Jackson for most by a left-handed hitter in playoff history. Trae Turner homered in Game 3 and has now hit safely in each of his first eight games to begin this postseason. The last Phillie to hit in each of his first eight games of a single postseason was Ryan Howard in 2009.

Amazingly, each of Philadelphia’s past 13 homers has come without anyone on base, the longest stretch of solo homers in postseason history. Overall, the Phillies have hit 16 home runs in their past five games, the most by any team in postseason history in a five-game span. The team’s last homer with at least one runner on base came from Bryce Harper in Game 3 of the NLDS vs. Atlanta (a three-run shot off Bryce Elder in the 3rd). Through their first eight games this postseason, the Phils have hit 19 homers. Only the 2021 Red Sox (20) and 2004 Astros (20) hit more through their first eight.

It’s lefty Ranger Suarez on the hill Thursday. Suarez earned the win in last Thursday’s 3-1 victory over Atlanta in Game 4 of the NLDS, allowing one run on three hits across five innings. He struck out two. His only blemish came on a changeup that Austin Riley took deep from outside below the zone in the fourth inning. Suarez now has a 1.04 ERA and 0.58 WHIP with six strikeouts across 8.2 innings this postseason.

His postseason ERA of 1.16 ranks third all time (minimum five starts), behind Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax (0.95) and Christy Mathewson (0.97). Philadelphia has won all seven games he has appeared in during the postseason.

“I just think he’s such a cool and confident guy,” catcher J.T. Realmuto said. “Obviously, he has really good stuff. He’s able to mix speeds so well, keeps the hitter guessing. He’s very unpredictable because he can throw so many pitches for strikes — and so many pitches for chase. He’s exactly what you’re looking for in a pitcher, being able to mix and command the strike zone and attack hitters.”

Bet Phillies to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Games

Why Bet on Arizona?

Arizona had been unbeaten in these playoffs before losing the first two games in Philadelphia. This will be only the team’s second playoff game this year and first NLCS home game since 2007. Obviously Arizona failed to homer in Game 2 in a 10-0 loss. That snapped the team’s 17-game postseason streak with at least one homer that dated to Game 3 of the 2007 NLCS. It was the second-longest streak in MLB postseason history behind a 23-game streak from the Yankees from 2019-2022.

Tuesday was the first time the Snakes were ever shutout in a playoff game. They had scored at least one run in each of their previous 46 postseason games without being blanked. That was the second-longest active streak in the Majors behind Minnesota’s current 67-game streak.

Ketel Marte went 2-for-4 with a double in Game 2. The 30-year-old infielder smacked a leadoff single into center field in the fourth inning, but was erased on a fielder’s choice. He then doubled off of Aaron Nola with one out in the sixth inning, but the Diamondbacks were unable to cash him in. Marte collected two of his team’s four total hits in the ballgame and has now hit safely in each of his first 11 postseason games for his career. He’s the ninth player in postseason history to do so.

Arizona has now lost each of its last six NLCS contests dating to the 2007 NLCS when they were swept by Colorado. The D’backs plan to be more aggressive on the basepaths going forward. During the regular season, they stole 166 bases, which was second in the Majors behind the Reds, who finished with 190. Arizona’s ability to swipe bags and take the extra base in key situations quickly resulted in the organization adopting “Embrace the Chaos” as its slogan. They didn’t steal any bases in the first two games of the series.

“I don’t wanna talk too much about our gameplan or anything or kind of what we saw,” Arizona star and NL Rookie of the Year lock Corbin Carroll said. “But in my eyes and in the eyes of the coaches, it didn’t seem like there was much opportunity to run.”

It’s rookie right-hander Brandon Pfaadt on the mound Thursday. He last took the mound in the clinching Game 3 of the NLDS vs. the Dodgers and fired 4 1/3 shutout innings. Pfaadt was staked to an early four-run lead and wound up carrying a shutout into the fifth inning before Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo decided to turn things over to the bullpen before letting him face the Dodgers’ lineup for a third time through the order.

Pfaadt has had a roller coaster of a regular season, finishing with a 5.72 ERA and getting sent back down to Triple-A at one point. He has been a regular in the Arizona rotation since late July. Including the start against the Dodgers, he allowed no runs in four of his past 10 appearances. However, when he struggles, he gives up home runs: 22 in 96 innings.

Bet Diamondbacks to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Games