Just when you thought two games a day were over, the baseball gods deliver. The Diamondbacks look to keep their season alive and even out the series once more, forcing a Game 7, while the Phillies look to punch their ticket to a second consecutive World Series appearance. Meanwhile, in the Lone Star state, Game 7 will decide which team will win the AL pennant and represent the American League in the World Series.
Diamondbacks vs. Phillies Game 6 will be on TBS, while FOX will air the Rangers vs. Astros series finale.
GAME 6: (6) Arizona Diamondbacks vs. (4) Philadelphia Phillies, 5:07 PM ET
Pitching Matchup: Merrill Kelly (1-1, 3.00 ERA) vs. Aaron Nola (3-0, 0.96 ERA)
The Phillies look to take one more game from the Diamondbacks to win the NL Pennant for the second straight year. After losing two straight, the Phillies came back strong with Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto, each hitting home runs to propel their team to a 6-1 victory in Game 5. Nola, a free agent after this season, takes the mound for the Phillies. He’s been elite this postseason and shut out the Diamondbacks in Game 2, ending the night allowing only three hits, zero walks and seven strikeouts.
On the other side of the diamond, Arizona looks to keep their season alive once more and play underdog. Alek Thomas was the lone source of offense for the Diamondbacks in Game 5, hitting a solo shot for the team’s only run of the game. Kelly, who spent part of his childhood in the Philly area, seeks redemption in Game 6. He only lasted five ⅔ innings in Game 2 and gave up four runs on three hits, four walks, six strikeouts and three home runs.
Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
GAME 7: (6) Texas Rangers vs. (4) Houston Astros, 8:03 PM ET
Pitching Matchup: Max Scherzer (0-1, 11.25 ERA) vs. Cristian Javier (2-0, 1.69 ERA)
In what might be the biggest game of his career, Scherzer isn’t seeking redemption; he needs it. He got knocked around in Game 3, and the Astros tagged him for five runs on five hits in four innings pitched. In a series where no home team has won a game, both teams will be on the edge of their seats. The Rangers kept their World Series hopes alive after blowing out the Astros in Game 6, thanks to an Adolis García grand slam.
The defending World Series champions go into a do-or-die game with a depleted bullpen. In Game 6, Phil Maton, Hector Neris, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryne Stanek went a combined four innings, allowing five hits, six runs (five earned), two walks and four walks. Yordan Álvarez and Jose Altuve continue to be the offensive sparks for the Astros and hope to propel their team to a whopping fifth World Series appearance in seven years.
World Series play begins October 27 on FOX.
