Has your heart rate decreased yet?

That conclusion to the NLDS series against the Braves was nothing short of an edge-of-your-seat, heart pounding performance which punched the ticket for the Phightens for their second straight NLCS appearance. So how will they fare against the red hot Diamondbacks?

The Phillies set quite a few franchise records last series which include, most homers in a playoff game (6), most hits by a player (Turner), and Nick Castellanos became the first player ever to have back to back multi homer games in the postseason. The pitching staff was able to keep the high octane offense of the Braves to 8 runs during the four game set. So it’s safe to say that Phillies are also hot coming into this game.

Over the last two years, Citizens Bank Park has hosted 12 playoff games, and the Phillies are 10-2 in those games. They have the best home winning percentage (min. 30 games) in the playoff history, so the home field advantage is real. The crowds have been incredible, and it has been talked about quite often by both the media and the players. The Phils get the first two home in this series, so if they can jump out to a lead, the odds of a World Series return jump drastically.

Zach Wheeler and Zac Gallen are the game 1 starters and they ironically have similar numbers. Gallen will be pitching close to his hometown in South Jersey, and Wheeler will look to continue his torrid stretch of dominance. Aaron Nola has impressed so far this postseason as well, and he will likely be matched up against Merrill Kelly who has had a good season with an ERA under 3.30 in 30 starts. Beyond that, it’s a much better edge in the Phillies favor. I also like the offense of the Phillies to be able to get to the DBacks bullpen pitching with timely hits and continuing their power surge. Some of the Phillies hitters struggled against the Braves left-handed starters, (looking at you Kyle Schwaber) so they will get a little break from that .

Speaking of Kyle Schwarber, the Phils were able to get by the Braves without much offensive contribution from Schwarber, Alec Bohm, and Johan Rojas. The chances of all three of them continuing to be shut out are slim, especially the first two guys who both are well overdue to join the party. And is there anyone that can stop Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, and Trea Turner right now? They have been on absolute fire in October.

The Phillies just seem destined for a return to the Fall Classic. There is just a vibe around the team that tells you that despite their successes thus far, they know they still have a long way to go. Harper and Castellanos seem uber focused in their post game interviews, manager Rob Thomson has been pressing all of the right buttons, and this team is about as versatile as we have seen in this city.

There are always reasons to be nervous. Corbin Carroll is a very good young player who has put his name on the map as a rookie. Christian Walker is a solid player near the top of the lineup and in the field. Marte and Monroe can flip the script. But the Phillies just have more talent, and may be more importantly, the experience and I just do not see them falling in this series.

Phillies in 6.