Game 1 of the National League Championship Series is set to begin this evening at 7:07 pm CT, with Zack Wheeler taking the mound for the Phillies against Zac Gallen of the Diamondbacks. Both teams released their rosters earlier this morning.
Arizona made a single change from the NLDS, adding Slade Cecconi, an extra pitcher, in place of Jace Peterson, a left-handed bench bat. The D-backs are now carrying the maximum of 13 pitchers on their postseason roster. The NLCS is a seven-game series with only two scheduled off days, so it stands to reason that the Diamondbacks would like an extra arm. Furthermore, manager Torey Lovullo is likely planning a bullpen game for Game 4, and Cecconi, a starting pitching prospect, will provide additional depth for the ’pen. He could even start the game, although his manager would surely keep him on a short leash.
Cecconi struggled at Triple-A this year, posting a 6.11 ERA and giving up 24 home runs in 23 starts for the Reno Aces. However, he looked stronger during a handful of games for the big league club, pitching to a 4.33 ERA in 27 innings. The right-hander is the no. 14 prospect in the Diamondbacks system, per MLB Pipeline.
Peterson, meanwhile, didn’t get much work in either of Arizona’s first two playoff series. The veteran was a last-minute addition to the Wild Card roster after Jake McCarthy suffered an oblique injury, and he appeared in just two games of the NLDS, taking one plate appearance and playing a couple of innings at third base. After coming over from Oakland at the trade deadline, Peterson appeared at the hot corner in 35 of Arizona’s final 55 regular season games. However, Evan Longoria has taken over as the full-time third baseman in the playoffs.
Bryce Jarvis, who lost his roster spot to Kyle Nelson ahead of the NLDS, remains off the roster, as does Tommy Henry, who has been on the IL since July. Lovullo told reporters (including Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com) that Henry was a possibility to pitch in the NLCS, but evidently, the lefty isn’t quite ready to return to action.
The Phillies are running back the same roster they used against the Braves in the NLDS. The only somewhat surprising news is that first baseman Rhys Hoskins remains off the roster. Hoskins has not played since he tore his ACL in spring training. Still, manager Rob Thomson indicated on Sunday that the right-handed slugger could be ready to play, telling reporters (including Jon Morosi of MLB Network) that Hoskins was taking at-bats, running the bases, and essentially doing everything except for fielding ground balls. As Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports, Hoskins will continue his rehab in anticipation of a potential World Series appearance.
The full rosters…
Phillies
- Right-handed pitchers: Seranthony Domínguez, Jeff Hoffman, Orion Kerkering, Craig Kimbrel, Michael Lorenzen, Aaron Nola, Taijuan Walker, Zack Wheeler
- Left-handed pitchers: José Alvarado, Cristopher Sánchez, Gregory Soto, Matt Strahm, Ranger Suárez
- Catchers: J.T. Realmuto, Garrett Stubbs
- Infielders: Alec Bohm, Bryce Harper, Edmundo Sosa, Bryson Stott, Trea Turner
- Outfielders: Nick Castellanos, Jake Cave, Brandon Marsh, Cristian Pache, Johan Rojas, Kyle Schwarber
Diamondbacks
- Right-handed pitchers: Miguel Castro, Slade Cecconi, Luis Frías, Zac Gallen, Kevin Ginkel, Merrill Kelly, Ryne Nelson, Brandon Pfaadt, Paul Sewald, Ryan Thompson
- Left-handed pitchers: Joe Mantiply, Kyle Nelson, Andrew Saalfrank
- Catchers: Jose Herrera, Gabriel Moreno
- Infielders: Jordan Lawlar, Evan Longoria, Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo, Emmanuel Rivera, Pavin Smith, Christian Walker
- Outfielders: Corbin Carroll, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Tommy Pham, Alek Thomas
Let’s go Phillies. Phillies in 5.
Let’s go D-Backs. Snakes in 7.
Good luck.
Is the homeless guy playing left field again?
Phillies sweep. The d-bags post season of grievances will soon be over.
Yeah let’s hope your 250 mil you spent gets you a title. If you get upset I will absolutely love it. We been around since 98 and have the same amount of WS you have since we started. What’s worse is your only other one is 1980.
Sick burn
I’m a Phillies fan, but there’s no reason to be nasty.
Don’t think the DBacks have enough pitching to get it done, but I hope the youngsters at least make it interesting.
I see Phil’s nation already trash talking and counting us out. That’s OK a good dose of humbleberry pie will be served in this series. The Dbacks will push the Phil’s to the brink.
“A bullpen Game in Game 4”
It’s not supposed to work, but it did for Philly and Texas in DS Game 1s. Lol keep the party going
Not surprised that Hoskins is not on the roster. The Phillies have said all along that if the team makes the World Series that he could be activated. This is the NLCS, not the World Series. We’re still one series away from a potential Hoskins appearance
Phillies fans talk a lot of trash for no reason. D-Backs have been great and with Gallen/Kelly they are going to compete in most of the series.
Why activate. So they can waste 2 players in one at bat.
I cannot fathom how anybody would want Rhys Hoskins activated for even a meaningful duo at bat. I’m not the largest fan of Hoskins and never will be. But to give this guy a roster spot without even a rehab at bat would be idiotic to say the least. Where they gonna send him the AFL
The Phillies just look like everything is running perfect on all cylinders. Hope it’s a great series either way.
Texas vs Philly would be wonderful. I would have a preference, but I would be somewhat okay if Philly won. Turner is fun to root for.
Alternate universe 2010 and 2011 World Series
Love to see Hoskins back for the WS if Philly makes it. As a Cubs fan, I remember how awesome it was getting Schwarbs back for the Series in 16. Those fans would go ape for a Hoskins appearance.
Nothing worse then Philly Fans! How can you talk trash and spend all that money. Dbacks playing with house money my friend. If we lose we overachieved and one of the youngest teams in Baseball. If you somehow lose you spend 250 million and lost again.
What a clown take. Already with the built in excuses. It might take 5, but you definitely aren’t winning the series.
Said all Brewers and Dodger fans.
Not saying Dbacks will win, but don’t sleep on this team.
I remember you! I waited for this moment. Your overrated money team choked. Again.
@roy you philly fans are the fakest fans around. Boo your own team so much. You have the same amount of championships as we do since we came into the league. You spend more and more money to win. Look at the comment section talking already. No excuses. We shocked everyone.Even if you beat us you won’t be texas. You can’t win. But if you get upset I’ll remember you.
What in this thread counts as trash talking besides that one random dude near the top? (not even sure that guy is a Phillies fan)
@DarkSide380
Agreed on not seeing much in the way of trash talk, and I don’t see much reason to talk trash (aside from to those who have set that as the rules of engagement; that is a game that I enjoy playing lol)
None of us have any impact on the game, so there’s no reason to get riled up about it.
“It’s only game, why you heff to be mad?” (Anyone who hasn’t seen that clip, please watch it lol)
The Phillies have more WS wins than the dbacks…. Might wanna look into baseball history before you get out of recess
Let’s not go nuts here…yeah, they have one more.
And only a 115 year head start.
Might want to look up baseball history before you get out of recess, kid. Phils have more than 1.
That’s the problem with dumb philly fans. I said since we came into the league. You didn’t win 2 since we were here. 1980 doesn’t count. learn to read
You still sound like an idiot generalizing millions of fans based on internet posts. Especially since I’m not a Phillies fan. So, what team were you a fan of last week?
Brother I have my own youtube channel about dbacks as well so nice try buddy.
Criticize however you want, but fake is an absolutely incorrect way to characterize fans from Philly. Can’t fake that passion and energy at the stadium.
Plus, it’s a lazy take.
@sfes
Maybe you should’ve stayed in from recess to work on your reading comprehension
“You have the same amount of championships as we do since we came into the league.”
This is the 26th season the DBacks have been in MLB team; how many times have the Phillies won the World Series in the last 26 years?
Thank you!
Touché.
on paper, the Phillies have a lot more star power. If DiamondBacks have a way to minimize impact of their prime hitters – they may have a shot here, but Phillies just seem stronger on both sides (hitting/pitching) – it will surely be a huge upset if Diamondbacks win it.
Best of luck to everyone playing in the Participation Trophy Championship Series.
If you win, you’ll be taken out for ice cream.
And if you lose…you know what, you tried hard, you get ice cream too.
Manfred will be trying EVERYTHING to make sure Philly wins this series. An all-southwest WS would be a disaster for ratings. Expect Philly pitchers to get an enormous strike zone.
If Hoskins came back it would be like Michael Scott finding out Toby is back at the HR desk at Dunder Mifflin. God No please No No No No