NLCS Players To Watch Topped By Phillies Star Bryce Harper

The defending league champion Philadelphia Phillies will try to make a return trip to the World Series when they face the red-hot Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League Championship Series.

Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is set for Monday night at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia with Zack Wheeler starting for the Phillies against Zac Gallen.

Both teams qualified for the postseason as wild cards with the Phillies finishing 90-72 in the regular season while the Diamondbacks had an 84-78 record. Philadelphia won four of seven matchups from Arizona this year.

The Diamondbacks have won all five of their postseason games, sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers in two games in an NL Wild Card Series and taking three in a row over the Los Angeles Dodgers in an NL Division Series.

The Phillies swept the Miami Marlins in an WCS and downed the Atlanta Braves in four games in the LDS round.

Here are four players to watch in the NLCS:

BRYCE HARPER, PHILLIES

When he signed a 13-year, $330-million contract with the Phillies prior to the 2019 season as a free agent, Harper said he was motivated to come to Philadelphia to try winning a World Series for the city’s demanding fans.

Harper came close last season when the Phillies lost in the Fall Classic to the Houston Astros in six games. After moving from right field to first base this year following Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery, Harper has the Phillies back in the NLCS.

Harper did not make his season debut until May 2 and, after a slow start, batted .293/.401/.499 with 21 home runs in 126 games. Harper, who turns 31 on Monday, has been outstanding in the postseason, going 7 for 19 (.368) with three home runs, seven runs scored and seven walks.

ORION KERKERING, PHILLIES

Much of the attention to the Phillies’ pitching staff goes to Wheeler and fellow starter Aaron Nola. However, Philadelphia’s bullpen is quite effective, too.

The newest member of the relief corps, rookie right-hander Kerkering has created quite a bit of buzz since making his major-league debut on Sept. 24. He has had six one-inning stints —- three in the regular season and three in the postseason – and hasn’t allowed a run.

The Phillies drafted Kerkering just last year in the fifth round from the University of South Florida. The 22-year-old started this season at Low-A Clearwater and pitched all four levels of the farm system, posting a 1.51 ERA in 49 games and striking out 79 batters in 53 2/3 innings.

GABRIEL MORENO, DIAMONDBACKS

The Diamondbacks held their breath in the clinching Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers when Moreno was forced out of the game with a bruised right hand in the fifth inning after the catcher was hit by a foul tip.

However, tests showed no structural damage and Moreno is expected to be in the lineup for Game 1 of the NLCS. The 23-year-old hit the last of the Diamondbacks’ four home runs in the third inning of Game 3, which set an MLB postseason record.

The Diamondbacks acquired Moreno and left fielder Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. from the Toronto Blue Jays in an offseason trade. Moreno eventually worked his way into a starting role this season and batted .284/.339/.408 with seven homers in 111 games.

ANDREW SAALFRANK, DIAMONDBACKS

Saalfrank has been the Diamondbacks’ left-handed version of Kerkering, impacting the bullpen after making his big-league debut late in the season.

Saalfrank debuted Sept. 5 and made 10 regular-season appearances before pitching three times in the first two rounds of the playoffs. He has yet to allow an earned run in 11 2/3 innings over those 13 games.

The Diamondbacks chose Saalfrank in the sixth round of the 2019 amateur draft from Indiana University. The 26-year-old had a 2.53 ERA in the minor leagues this season in 44 games combined with Triple-A Reno and Double-A Amarillo.