The only thing preventing the D-backs from spending Wednesday night at another pool party? Dodgers and Lance Lynn in the third game.
In this best-of-five National League Division Series, Arizona surprised Los Angeles by winning Games 1 and 2 at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers must now defeat the D-backs in Arizona to return the favor. If not, their 100-win campaign will end sooner rather than later.
NLDS Game 3 on TBS on Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET/6 PT & MST, sponsored by Booking.com
For the first postseason game at the downtown Phoenix ballpark since the Dodgers finished a three-game sweep of Arizona in the 2017 NLDS, the action moves to Chase Field on Wednesday. With a 2-0 lead, the D-backs are trying to win this time and make it to the Championship Series for the first time since 2007.
“Nothing will be taken for granted,” manager Torey Lovullo declared. “We’re going to keep working really hard and remaining humble.”
D-backs win Game 2 of the NLDS
In the meantime, the Dodgers will try to make history by becoming just the third club in a 2-2-1 Division Series to lose their opening two games at home before winning three straight. Teams that take a 2-0 lead in any best-of-five postseason series have won 78 of 88 times (89%).
How to ‘change the script,’ beginning with Game 3 for the Dodgers
Being two down is not what we had in mind. But that’s where we are right now,” first baseman Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers stated. “We must go after them on Wednesday, one game at a time.”
What you need know about Game 3 is as follows:
How can I watch the game and when is it?Wednesday night at Chase Field at 9:07 p.m. ET/6:07 p.m. PT and MST is when Game 3 airs on TBS.
In the United States, every series can be accessed on MLB.TV by authenticating with a participating pay television provider. Live games are accessible worldwide, with the exception of Canada. After the game, full game archives are accessible about 90 minutes later.
Which pitchers will get the start?Braves: RHPLance Lynn (13-11, ERA of 5.73)
Before the Trade Deadline, Lynn was the Dodgers’ most significant acquisition to the rotation. The seasoned player will have to put up his finest game of the year to keep the team’s prospects of winning the World Series alive. Given that he has allowed the most home runs this season—44—of any pitcher in the Major Leagues, Lynn will need to restrict the amount of hits on Wednesday.
The Dodgers are’very confidence’ in Lynn to start the crucial third game.
Lance Lynn on Game 3
D-backs: RHP (3/9, 5.72 ERA) Brandon Pfaadt
After getting the ball in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series, Pfaadt will be starting for the second time this playoffs. In the latter month of the season, Lovullo has given experienced pitchers Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen more leash, but he hasn’t done the same with his younger pitchers, like Pfaadt. Pfaadt will probably face eighteen batters, give or take four, as Lovullo said.
Pfaadt is prepared to take center stage when Game 3 begins.
Brandon Pfaadt on NLDS start
Which starting lineups are there?Braves:Don’t be shocked if the Dodgers make a few changes to the starting lineup as the offense tries to get going at the plate. However, Los Angeles will likely start with the same lineup for the time being—one that amassed over 900 runs in the regular season.
Betts, Mookie Two BWill Smith, C; Freddie Freeman, 1B3B Max MuncyMartinez, J.D.; DHHeyward Jason, RFLF David PeraltaCF James OutmanSS Miguel Rojas
Field view of Martinez’s homer
D-backs: Lovullo should start with the same nine players in the same order as he did in Game 2 in Los Angeles since his offense is clicking right now. After struggling toward the conclusion of the regular season, D-backs hitters have been on a roll in the postseason. Their reluctance to chase pitches outside the strike zone is the main cause.
Carroll Corbin, RFMarte Ketel, 2BDH Tommy PhamWalker, Christian, 1BC. Gabriel MorenoGurriel Jr. Lourdes, LFCF Alek ThomasLongoria Evan, 3B.SS Geraldo PerdomoGurriel spearheading the D-backs’ potent NLDS assault
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s solo HR
After the starter, how will the bullpens be arranged?Dodgers: Dave Roberts, the manager, treated Game 2 as though it were the last one. Since that Game 3 is essentially a Dodgers elimination game, you should anticipate the same. If Lynn doesn’t look sharp early in the game, Ryan Pepiot could pinch-hit, but the Dodgers want to get to Evan Phillips, Ryan Brasier, and Brusdar Graterol in the back half of the bullpen. In Game 2, they were all rather adept.
Phillips leaves the bases loaded
D-backs: Pfaadt will give Lovullo a short leash, and he might start the game with either right-hander Ryne Nelson or left-hander Joe Mantiply. The D-backs’ high-leverage relievers have performed admirably in recent months. Right-hander Ryan Thompson and lefty Andrew Saalfrank earn the sixth and seventh, Kevin Ginkel earns the eighth, and Paul Sewald earns the ninth.
Ryan Thompson leaves bases loaded
Any noteworthy injuries?Dodgers: Zip.
D-backs: Pham has been playing with his turf toe for weeks now, so there’s no reason to believe he won’t continue to do so despite his ongoing battle with it.
Who is hot and who isn’t?Dodgers: Should Betts and Freeman fail to make an impact at bat, the Dodgers’ season will end. In this series, the two superstars have combined to go a combined 1-for-13 with no extra-base hits, effectively neutralizing them. The Dodgers go as Freeman and Betts go, but Smith and Muncy also need to get going.
Gallen K’s Freeman to escape jam
D-backs: This postseason, Carroll hasn’t looked like a rookie. In the NLDS, he went 2-for-5 in Game 1 before recording a hit and three walks in Game 2. The opposition is in trouble when he is on base at the top of the lineup. Pham has also had a good series, collecting two hits in Game 2 and four hits in Game 1. Among them was a home run in Game 1.
MLB Tonight on Corbin Carroll
What else should fans be aware of?Dodgers: The last team to overcome a 2-0 deficit following two home games lost was the 2015 Blue Jays, who rallied to defeat the Rangers.
D-backs: The last time the D-backs triumphed in four straight postseason games was during their World Series victory in 2001.