Key storylines for ALCS Game 5 and NLCS Game 4

October Baseball: Championship Series Heating Up

In a postseason brimming with series that ended sooner than desired, Thursday night delivered the intensity we’ve been waiting for. The Diamondbacks fought their way to a walk-off victory, marking their first NLCS win in 22 years and putting a dent in the seemingly unstoppable Phillies. Meanwhile, the Astros, known for their dominance over the Rangers, turned the tables with a commanding Game 4 win. The dynamics of these series have dramatically shifted. This is the kind of postseason action we crave. And there’s more to come on Friday. Let’s dive into three key storylines for each game.

Astros at Rangers

Series tied 2-2

Justin Verlander vs. Jordan Montgomery

5:07 p.m. ET, FS1

Storyline No. 1: Will Game 4’s fourth inning be the turning point?

The top of the fourth inning of Game 4 was a pivotal moment in this series. With the bases loaded and no outs, the Astros, after dropping the first two home games, seemed poised to regain control. The tension was high as Alex Bregman struck out, Yordan Alvarez hit a sacrifice fly, and then José Abreu delivered a three-run homer. If Abreu had struck out instead, the Rangers would have escaped the inning with only a one-run deficit, leaving the crowd on the edge of their seats. Instead, the game slipped away from the Rangers, resulting in a tied series. The momentum has shifted, and the Rangers no longer hold a firm grip on this matchup.

Storyline No. 2: Can Jordan Montgomery rise to the occasion?

Jordan Montgomery has been a revelation for the Rangers this postseason. He has consistently performed well, but now he faces his biggest challenge yet against Justin Verlander. Montgomery has been the ace that the Rangers needed to secure series leads, but now he must keep his team alive in a pivotal game. The pressure is on. Is Montgomery truly the ace the Rangers need him to be? We’ll find out in this game.

Storyline No. 3: Can the Astros be defeated on the road?

While the Rangers enjoyed a 2-0 series lead in Houston, the Astros quickly regained their dominance once they returned to Arlington. With six consecutive wins at Globe Life Field, including the regular season, the Astros have proven themselves as the best road team in baseball. Now, the Rangers find themselves fighting to stay alive once again. The Astros are a force to be reckoned with on the road, and the Rangers must find a way to overcome this challenge.

Phillies at Diamondbacks

Phillies lead 2-1

Cristopher Sánchez vs. Joe Mantiply

8:07 p.m. ET, TBS

Storyline No. 1: Unexpected starting pitchers take the stage

Baseball has evolved, and so has the way we deploy starting pitchers. In a pivotal Game 4 of the NLCS, we’ll witness Joe Mantiply and Cristopher Sánchez take the mound as the starting pitchers. Mantiply, primarily a reliever, has made three starts this year as an “opener.” Sánchez, a lesser-known starter, aims to neutralize the Phillies’ left-handed sluggers. Though their roles are uncertain, one thing is clear: this game will heavily rely on bullpen performances. Get ready for a wild night.

Storyline No. 2: Is Craig Kimbrel’s reliability in question?

Craig Kimbrel, a potential future Hall of Famer, is renowned for his closing abilities. However, his performances this postseason have raised doubts. Even though he has closed out games, it’s apparent that Kimbrel has struggled at times, as seen in Game 3 of the NLCS. The Phillies’ bullpen has improved, but Kimbrel’s recent performances have left fans wondering if they can trust him to finish games. The outcome of this game might determine the level of trust Philadelphia fans have in Kimbrel.

Storyline No. 3: Who will win on the road?

After two electrifying nights at Citizens Bank Park, it seemed that the Phillies had the series in the bag. But the Diamondbacks didn’t back down. With an impressive Game 3 victory and Ketel Marte’s walk-off heroics, the Diamondbacks proved they are just as motivated as the Phillies. With both teams yet to win on the road, Game 4 becomes crucial. Should the Diamondbacks secure the win, Chase Field could become a formidable stronghold. The battle for road victory begins tonight.