Phillies vs. Diamondbacks NLCS Game 1 Starting Pitcher Matchup - October 16

Updated Oct. 16, 2023 5:43 p.m. ET

Data Skrive

The Philadelphia Phillies meet the Arizona Diamondbacks to begin the NLCS on Monday at 8:07 PM ET at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies are set to start Zack Wheeler (13-6, 3.61 ERA) against the Diamondbacks and Zac Gallen (17-9, 3.47 ERA).

Phillies Probable Starter: Zack Wheeler

Wheeler gets the start for the Phillies, his 33rd of the season. He is 13-6 with a 3.61 ERA and 212 strikeouts through 192 2/3 innings pitched.
The righty last appeared on Monday against the Atlanta Braves, when he tossed 6 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs while giving up three hits.
In 32 games this season, the 33-year-old has a 3.61 ERA and 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings, while allowing a batting average of .229 to opposing hitters.
Wheeler is looking for his third straight quality start.
Wheeler will look to build on a three-game streak of going five or more innings (he's averaging six innings per appearance).
He has held his opponents without an earned run in four of his 32 outings this season.
The opposing Diamondbacks offense has the 17th-ranked slugging percentage (.408) and is 22nd in MLB play with 166 home runs. It has a collective .250 batting average, and is 17th in MLB with 1359 total hits and 14th in MLB action scoring 746 runs.
Wheeler has thrown 12 innings, giving up four earned runs on 12 hits while striking out 10 against the Diamondbacks this season.
Among qualifying pitchers in MLB action this season, the 33-year-old's 3.61 ERA ranks 20th, 1.078 WHIP ranks eighth, and 9.9 K/9 ranks 12th.

Opponent	Date	IP	H	R	ER	K	BB
at Braves	Oct. 9	6.1	3	3	2	10	1
vs. Marlins	Oct. 3	6.2	5	1	1	8	0
vs. Pirates	Sep. 28	4.0	4	1	1	5	1
vs. Mets	Sep. 23	7.0	8	5	3	6	1
at Braves	Sep. 18	6.0	3	1	1	5	2

The Diamondbacks will send Gallen (17-9) to the mound for his 35th start this season.
The right-hander's last appearance was on Tuesday, when he threw 5 1/3 innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving up two earned runs while allowing five hits.
The 28-year-old has an ERA of 3.47 and 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings with an opponent batting average of .238 in 34 games this season.
He has earned a quality start 20 times in 34 starts this season.
Gallen has 26 starts in a row of five innings or more.
He has eight appearances this season with zero earned runs allowed out of his 34 chances this season.
The Phillies rank eighth in MLB with 796 runs scored this season. They have a .256 batting average this campaign with 220 home runs (eighth in the league).
The right-hander has allowed the Phillies to go 5-for-22 with two RBI in 5 2/3 innings this season.
The 28-year-old's 3.47 ERA ranks 16th, 1.119 WHIP ranks 12th, and 9.4 K/9 ranks 17th among qualified pitchers in the majors this campaign.