Ranger Suárez and Brandon Pfaadt get Game 3 nod in NLCS

The Phillies took Game 1 behind a strong pitching performance from ace Zack Wheeler in the National League Championship Series, opening up a five-run lead, and holding off the Diamondbacks 5-3.

In game 2 the Phillies have Aaron Nola getting the start against Merrill Kelly, a right-handed pitcher for Arizona.

We know the Phillies will go with lefty Ranger Suárez and we now know who the Diamondbacks will counter with when the series heads out west on Thursday, rookie Brandon Pfaadt.

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Pfaadt went 3-9 with a 5.72 ERA during the regular season but has been better in the playoffs, posting a 3.86 ERA and striking out six batters in seven innings. He got the ball in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card round against the Brewers and again in Game 3 of the Division Series against the Dodgers, both D-Back wins.

Suárez faced the D-Backs twice this summer, going 0-0, tossing 12 innings, giving up nine hits, and striking out 12.

This might be his most difficult assignment of these playoffs as he will be called on to face a dangerous Phillies team that is breaking all sorts of offensive records.

After Game 2, the series comes to Arizona for Game 3 on Thursday and Game 4 on Friday.  If needed Game 5 would be Saturday.

Neither team has announced their Game 4 starter with the Phillies going with either Taijuan Walker or Cristopher Sanchez.

You can listen to the Phillies and D-Backs NLCS on 97.3 ESPN. First pitch for Game 3 is 5:07.