Phillies vs. Diamondbacks NLCS Game 5 Starting Pitcher Matchup - October 21

Updated Oct. 21, 2023 5:45 p.m. ET

Data Skrive

The Philadelphia Phillies and the Arizona Diamondbacks face off in Game 5 of the NLCS on Saturday at 8:07 PM ET at Chase Field. The series is tied up at 2-2.

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

Phillies Probable Starter: Zack Wheeler

Wheeler (13-6 with a 3.61 ERA and 212 strikeouts in 192 2/3 innings pitched) gets the start for the Phillies, his 33rd of the season.
In his last outing on Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the right-hander went six innings, giving up two earned runs while surrendering three hits.
The 33-year-old has an ERA of 3.61, with 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings, in 32 games this season. Opponents are hitting .229 against him.
Wheeler is seeking his fourth quality start in a row.
Wheeler is seeking his fourth straight outing lasting five or more innings. He averages six innings per appearance on the hill.
He has had four appearances this season in which he kept his opponents to zero earned runs.
He will face off against a Diamondbacks offense that ranks 17th in MLB with 1359 total hits (on a .250 batting average). The squad also slugs a collective .408 (17th in MLB) with 166 total home runs (22nd in MLB).
In 18 innings over three appearances against the Diamondbacks this season, Wheeler has a 3 ERA and a 0.944 WHIP while his opponents are hitting .217.
The 33-year-old's 3.61 ERA ranks 20th, 1.078 WHIP ranks eighth, and 9.9 K/9 ranks 12th among qualifying pitchers this season.

Opponent	Date	IP	H	R	ER	K	BB
vs. Diamondbacks	Oct. 16	6.0	3	2	2	8	0
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

Gallen (17-9) will take to the mound for the Diamondbacks and make his 35th start of the season.
The right-hander's last appearance was on Tuesday, when he threw five innings against the Philadelphia Phillies, giving up five earned runs while allowing eight hits.
The 28-year-old has an ERA of 3.47, a 4.68 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a WHIP of 1.119 in 34 games this season.
In 34 starts this season, he's earned a quality start in 20 of them.
Gallen has 27 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 have scored 796 runs this season, which ranks eighth in MLB. They are batting .256 for the campaign with 220 home runs, eighth in the majors.
This season, the right-hander has pitched against the Phillies in two games, and they have gone 13-for-44 with two doubles, three home runs and seven RBI over 10 2/3 innings.
Among qualified Major League pitchers this season, the 28-year-old's 3.47 ERA ranks 16th, 1.119 WHIP ranks 12th, and 9.4 K/9 ranks 17th.