NLCS Game 2: Five things the Diamondbacks must do to even series with Phillies

PHILADELPHIA — After falling 5-3 to the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, the Diamondbacks seemed to exude the sort of confidence one would expect from a team that had a long winning streak snapped. It was: No big deal. We’ll get ‘em tomorrow.

With right-hander Merrill Kelly set to take the mound against the Phillies’ Aaron Nola, here is a quick look at some of possible keys in Tuesday night’s Game 2 matchup.

Dbacks pitchers: be aggressive, just not too aggressive

There is a fine line between not being too aggressive and nibbling at the zone, but it feels like when facing a lineup like the Phillies, one not just filled with talented hitters but ones who are red-hot at the moment, Diamondbacks pitchers probably need to be extra careful not to make mistakes over the plate.

Of course, those are going to happen from time to time, but the ill-effects can be mitigated when those misses aren’t in nitro zones and when pitches are mixed smartly and less predictably.

Zac Gallen wasn’t trying to do this, but challenging Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos and Trea Turner with fastballs over the plate probably is not the best strategy.

Dbacks hitters must stick to their approach at the plate

This is not meant to suggest the Diamondbacks didn’t do this in Game 1. It felt like they did; they just did not get very many pitches to hit against Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler, who was hitting his spots on the edges of the zone and mixing his pitches well.

Sometimes hitters can only do what a pitcher allows them to do. Think back to NLDS Game 3 against the Dodgers and those four home runs they hit off Lance Lynn in the third inning: Three of those homers came on pitches down the middle of the plate. The Diamondbacks did not get many of those in Game 1.

Most of the time, pitchers will make mistakes. The Diamondbacks just have to be ready for them.

Take the Phillies crowd out of the game early

The Diamondbacks allowed the opposite to happen on Monday night when Schwarber launched Gallen’s first pitch of the night out to right field. Gallen said after the game the ballpark atmosphere is more a positive for the Phillies than a negative for the Diamondbacks. But even if it isn’t a drag on the Diamondbacks’ play, it seems like the Phillies can ride the crowd’s emotional waves.

If the Diamondbacks can quiet them early, as they did in Milwaukee and Los Angeles, Game 2 could have a much different feel.

Diamondbacks have to stay smart on the bases

The Diamondbacks caught some criticism on the TBS broadcast when Corbin Carroll did not try to steal off Wheeler in the first inning of Game 1. In fact, they should have been credited for their prudence.

The Diamondbacks approach all season has been to run when their chances are good to be successful. If there is a pitcher on the mound who is slow to the plate, if the catcher doesn’t throw well, if the pitcher is predictable in when he comes set and starts his delivery, they will go. If not, they will anchor down.

That said, Tuesday night could be different: Teams have run more successfully this year off Nola. If the Diamondbacks sense an opportunity, they should take it, but they should not try to force the action. Outs are too valuable to give them away.

Keep doing their thing on defense

One of the Diamondbacks’ calling cards during the regular season was their sound defensive play, and other than a play here and there, that has largely remained true this postseason. If it comes down to it, it’s hard to imagine the Diamondbacks winning a slugfest against the Phillies. More than likely, they’re going to need to convert every possible out into an actual out. Slowing the game down and making all the plays feels like a necessity, not a luxury.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: For Diamondbacks to even NLCS, here are 5 things they must do in Game 2