The Phillies won Game 1 of the NLCS against the Diamondbacks thanks to a flurry of home runs, including one from Bryce Harper on his 31st birthday. (Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports) (USA Today Sports/Portal)
The Philadelphia Phillies moved one step closer to another World Series appearance on Monday, beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-3 with another home run blow in NLCS Game 1. Kyle Schwarber hit a first-pitch home run, Bryce Harper hit a dinger on his 31st birthday, and Nick Castellanos hit his fifth home run in three games, joining Mr. October himself, Reggie Jackson, as the only players to achieve that feat made it to the playoffs.
It wasn’t a great night for the Diamondbacks, who lost their first game of the 2023 postseason. But Game 2 will give them a chance to get back on their feet and even win the series 1-1. If they can win a game at Citizens Bank Park, where fan volume can reach more than 110 decibels, that would be a major accomplishment before both teams travel to Arizona for Games 3, 4 and (if necessary) 5.
Merrill Kelly will take the mound for the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. He will be opposed by Aaron Nola, who is in the starting lineup for the Phillies.
Follow along as Yahoo Sports provides the latest news, scores, updates and highlights from Game 2 in Philly.