PHOENIX — The Philadelphia Phillies are red hot while the Arizona Diamondbacks simply are not. Arizona entered the NLCS undefeated in the postseason with a perfect 5-0 record but ever since facing the Phillies, they have come back down to earth.
Since entering the National League Championship Series, the D-backs have allowed six home runs in the first two games while Arizona's strength on the bases has been nonexistent.
This is something Manager Torey Lovullo wants to change for Game 3 back in the Valley and it all starts with a lineup change.
"We got to do it right now, it's got to happen," Lovullo said. "Players' feelings aside, and the players are great, you can't hurt their feelings right now because it's one goal, one team. I just had to do what I thought to help us be the best version of ourselves to score some runs and win some baseball games."
Lovullo decided to put Tommy Pham in right field while taking Alek Thomas out of the lineup. That, plus Evan Longoria is moving from third to the DH position while Emmanuel Rivera will take his place. In addition to those changes, Lovullo is hopeful Gabriel Moreno will provide a spark offensively by moving him to the third spot in the batting lineup.
A key reminder, Moreno has hit three home runs in seven postseason games.
"It's going to be a full investment today," Lovullo said. "Everybody is ready to go from the pitch pitch on."
Rookie Bradon Pfaadt will get the start and it comes against a red-hot Phillies team who've already hit 19 home runs this season.
First pitch is set for 2:07 p.m. inside Chase Field.
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
12Sports on YouTube
Watch more of the latest sports videos on the 12News YouTube channel. Don’t forget to subscribe!
