Diamondbacks Rookie Brandon Pfaadt to Start Game 3 Against Phillies

The Diamondbacks find themselves with a 2-0 deficit in the National League Championship Series against the Phillies. As they return to Phoenix for Game 3 on Thursday, they will be relying on rookie right-hander Brandon Pfaadt to turn things around.

Pfaadt’s season has been a roller coaster ride, with a 5.72 ERA and a stint in Triple-A at one point. However, he is coming off a strong start against the Dodgers in the division series, where he pitched 4⅓ scoreless innings on just 42 pitches. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo praised Pfaadt’s ability to command the baseball and work it around the zone with different pitches, speeds, and spin rates.

Despite his ups and downs, Pfaadt began the season as a top prospect, ranked No. 32 by ESPN.com’s Kiley McDaniel. After being called up in May, he struggled and was sent back down to the minors with an 8.37 ERA in five starts. However, since late July, Pfaadt has been a regular in the Diamondbacks’ rotation and has impressed in several outings, including his recent start against the Dodgers.

While Pfaadt has shown the potential to be tough when he’s on, he has also been prone to giving up home runs, allowing 22 in 96 innings. This has been a consistent issue for the Diamondbacks this season, especially from their No. 3 and No. 4 starters, which is why they are planning to use a bullpen game in Game 4.

Lovullo has opted to preserve his top relievers for the upcoming games and did not utilize them in Game 1. With the busy schedule ahead, Lovullo believes it is crucial to manage his bullpen effectively and give his back-end guys, such as Paul Sewald, Kevin Ginkel, Andrew Saalfrank, and Ryan Thompson, enough rest and workload.

In addition to focusing on the game, Lovullo and the Diamondbacks’ staff took some time off to play a pickup basketball game at the historic Palestra college hoops venue. Lovullo believes that stepping away from the grind and finding balance is important for the team’s mental and physical well-being.

On the Phillies’ side, Ranger Suarez is expected to start Game 3. Suarez has been impressive in the postseason so far, allowing just one run in 8⅔ innings across two starts against the Braves in the division series. As for Game 4, manager Rob Thomson stated that both Taijuan Walker and Cristopher Sanchez could be options, but they are available to pitch out of the bullpen in the next two games.

With the Diamondbacks seeking a much-needed win in Game 3, all eyes will be on Brandon Pfaadt as he takes the mound against a tough Phillies lineup.