2023 NLCS Game Three — Phillies, Diamondbacks Pregame Manager Notes
PHOENIX, Oct. 19 — The Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks are facing one another Thursday afternoon in Game Three of the NLCS. Currently, the Phillies lead the series, two games to none. Prior to the game, Phillies manager Rob Thomson and Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo met with the media. Here are the highlights.
Phillies Manager Rob Thomson
- The Phillies will name their Game Four starter after Game Three.
- When Kyle Schwarber leads off a game with a home run, Thomson said it is like a “punch in the gut” to the other team. “It gets them on their heels a little bit and energizes our club more than anything and especially in the playoff atmosphere because these games are so important.”
- Thomson has never seen Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez anxious, nervous, or frustrated. When Suarez recorded the final two outs of the 2022 NLCS, he “jogged in from the mound just as if he was coming out of the back door of his house to pitch in his backyard.” Thomson concluded by saying he’s a “cool customer” who “doesn’t sweat.”
- The connection the Phillies players have made with the fan base in Philadelphia over the past year and a half is something Thomson said is unlike anything he’s seen before.
- Bryson Stott moved to second base this season and is a Gold Glove finalist. Thomson asked Stott if he’d be willing to play second base at the end of last season, when it became apparent that the Phillies would go after a shortstop. Stott’s success is a reflection of the coaching staff as well as the “work ethic the players have,” which is “huge.”
- The Phillies relievers have had a lot of success recently, especially in the postseason. Thomson said part of the reason was the way the Atlanta series was structured. “It was game, off, game, off, two games, off, and then potentially a game,” he recounted. The extra days off between games helped his relievers recover, and he thought there may have been only one guy they used back-to-back days in the postseason.
Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo
- Lovullo entered the interview room still in disbelief that he was on Coach K’s Podcast, referring to legendary Duke University basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. “I got a text that Coach K wants to have you on his podcast, and I asked, ‘Is this a joke? Did you send this text to the right person? This is Torey Lovullo.’” When they said yes, Lovullo thought, “No way.”
- Lovullo was “honored” to be on the podcast. He’s been a fan of Coach K for over 20 years, saying “part of his DNA is in our clubhouse.”
- One core belief of Coach K’s is you could put a player in a box and let him grow as big as that box, but if you open up the lid to that box, he can become the most amazing player ever.
- Lovullo has made a change to the Diamondbacks lineup to try and score more runs. He called Game Three a game they had to win. Catcher Gabriel Moreno will bat third, with Tommy Pham moving from designated hitter to right field and batting fifth. Evan Longoria will move from third base to DH and bat seventh. Emmanuel Rivera, starting at third base, will bat eighth.
- As far as the pitching staff goes, Lovullo will not “worry about tomorrow. We got to win this game today, that’s it. Plain and simple.”
- Neither Zac Gallen nor Merrill Kelly will pitch on short rest. They are going to remain on schedule as the starters for Game Five and Game Six, respectively, “as of right now.”
Main Photo Credits:
PHOENIX (Oct. 19) — Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo addresses the media prior to Game Three of the National League Championship Series between the Diamondbacks and the Philadelphia Phillies. (Photo by Evan Thompson/Sport Relay)
