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Diamondbacks Overtake Phillies in NLCS Odds as Philadelphia Gives Up Commanding Position in Unfortunate Game 4 Collapse

Published 10/21/2023, 9:30 AM EDT

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As the Arizona Diamondbacks fight back, the NLCS is heating up. The Philadelphia Phillies are falling, and they are not sure why. After Game 4, the Phillies, who were comfortably leading 2-0 after the first two games, are now tied at 2-2 against the DBacks. Resulting in an apparent change in win percentage for the former. Or at least, that’s what the odds suggest.

In a surprising twist, not only did the Diamondbacks stage a comeback, but the momentum is now with them too. The series might have completely changed its course. Although the fans are salivating, the Phillies might be in for a shock. So how did the series turn out so quickly?

The Philadelphia Phillies give up their lead as the series levels

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The NLCS, which after the first two games was seemingly heading for a blowout win for the Phillies, has turned competitive. After the first two games, the Diamondbacks found their groove, while the Phillies fell unexpectedly. Winning the next two games back-to-back, the Diamondbacks leveled the series and tied it 2-2. Suddenly, the odds that were massively favoring the Philadelphia Phillies have now completely turned on their head.

As can be seen, even though the Phillies led the game quite massively, it all turned into a disaster in a few games. The matter of concern here is: what exactly took the favorite team downhill in an instant? Baseball is a sport that can change with every action that happens on the field, affecting the game’s outcomes. And that is exactly what happened in the recent Game 3 and 4.

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In Game 3 the Diamondbacks completely silenced the Phillies’ feared batters. The game was close, with both teams having a run each till the 9th inning. That is when Craig Kimbrel came to pitch for the Phillies. This is when Ketel Marte took a walk-off single to win the game for the Diamondbacks.

Whereas in Game 4, the Phillies took the lead. They were ahead 5-3 when Kimbrel again came to pitch in the 8th inning. However, the experienced closer experienced a critical collapse at the most inopportune moment, ultimately costing the Phillies not only the game but perhaps their entire season.

It left the Phillies fans fuming as the team lost two consecutive games after having dominated it from the beginning. What if this might be the turning point in this series? That is what the fans of both sides are wondering.

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Phillies need to buckle up as the pressure mounts

The Rob Thomson, when interviewed, questioned the pitching of his team. “We’ve got to throw strikes….Those guys have great stuff. They’ve got to throw it to the zone,” he said.

While Craig Kimbrel, who gave up three runs, said, “”The last two games sucked….I roll up in here and it cost us two games. The bright side is we are still tied 2-2,” pointing out how he had given up winning runs in the previous game as well. While he might be feeling down, the fact is that the series is still winnable.

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Watch the Story – Trea Turner Takes On Philly Challenge , Leads Phillies To Victory Against Diamondbacks Ace

The Phillies can take this game positively by looking at their dominance, while the Diamondbacks can build on their momentum. The series is now in its final gear, with only three games remaining. Can the Phillies find their way back, or will the Diamondbacks grab a spot in the World Series?

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Written by:

Sanskar.dubey

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Sanskar Dubey serves as an MLB writer at EssentiallySports, driven by his deep passion for sports that ultimately led him to the world of baseball. When the chance arose to join the EssentiallySports team, he eagerly seized it without hesitation. He loves to write for the sport at a time when there is a hot tussle between the National League and American League throughout the season.
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Edited by:

Deepanshi Bajaj