NLCS Game Thread: Phillies vs. D'Backs, 8:07 P.M.

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Snakes are alive. And they are well.

After dropping the first two games of the National League Championship Series in Philadelphia, the Diamondbacks pulled off two late-inning victories to tie the series at 2-2 in Arizona.

Ketel Marte was the hero in Game 3, walking off Craig Kimbrel in the bottom of the ninth for the D’Backs’ first postseason walk-off win since Luis Gonzalez‘s single to win the 2001 World Series.

Alek Thomas played the heroics in Game 4, clubbing a two-run homer off Kimbrel in the bottom of the eighth to give the D’Backs a 6-5 lead, which Paul Sewald saved in the ninth.

ALEK THOMAS TIES IT! 😱 #NLCS pic.twitter.com/bucXC3XFMz

— MLB (@MLB) October 21, 2023

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, Game 5

Now, with the series evened up, both team will throw their aces with the hope of heading back to Philadelphia with a lead. Zac Gallen gets another go at the Phillies after he allowed five earned runs on eight hits in Game 1.

Meanwhile, Zack Wheeler stands in the way of the D’Backs. Wheeler dominated the Snakes in Game 1, striking out eight batters while allowing two runs over six innings. The former Met has overpowered every lineup so far in the playoffs and has 26 strikeouts in 19 innings.

Pavin Smith is back in the D’Backs starting lineup after taking two pinch-hit at-bats in Game 4. He singled and went 1-for-2 in that game. Evan Longoria is also starting at third after DHing in Game 4.

The Phillies lineup remains the same in Game 5. Rob Thompson has the luxury to keep his potent lineup the same, as the Phillies have scored 21 runs across four games.