How to watch the Diamondbacks vs. Phillies in NLCS Game 4 live on TV. Can it top Game 3?
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Brian Anderson’s set-up was perfect.
“The bases are loaded,” TBS’ play-by-play announcer said during the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 3 of the National League Championship Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies.
“And the Diamondbacks’ hottest hitter is coming up.”
That would be Ketel Marte, who promptly hit a game-winning single to power Arizona to a 2-1 win, one they sorely needed.
Or, as Anderson put it, “THE DIAMONDBACKS WALK OFF THE PHILLIES IN GAME 3!”
It was louder and more animated than even all caps can convey. Now that’s setting the table for drama — and drama delivered.
This was a great game. This was great TV.
And it was pretty great announcing.
Now it’s a series.
Another option: How to listen to Diamondbacks and Phillies playoff Game 4 at Chase Field in Phoenix
When do the DBacks play?
Game 4 of the NLCS is scheduled for 5:07 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, on TBS. The Phillies have a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, but Games 4 and 5 are at Chase Field in Phoenix. Anderson will call the play-by-play, with Jeff Francoeur and Ron Darling serving as analysts.
More life for the Diamondbacks, but those games will have to go a long way to top this one. Luckily, TBS seems to have the team in place to cover it.
“The roof is closed, the A/C is blasting” at “lively Chase Field,” Anderson said before the game started. Although demerits for reminding us that it’s a “hot, sunny, late October day.”
It was interesting to hear the crew talk about the crowd at Chase Field, especially since they had just come from the lunatic asylum that is Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. “Great crowds here,” Darling said at one point. And later, “Great job by Diamondbacks fans to fill this place for an afternoon game.”
Neither team scored through six innings, thanks to incredible pitching from Arizona’s Brandon Pfaadt and Philadelphia’s Ranger Suárez. The thing about great pitching is that it keeps the game close, which keeps the game tense, which makes it a lot of fun to watch if you enjoy a constant stress-related stomach ache.
TBS set up Ketel Marte's heroics perfectly
This was definitely a Pepto Bismol game.
When Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo pulled Pfaadt after 5⅔ innings without giving up a run to the hottest team in baseball, relying on analytics instead of gut instinct, Anderson was understated. (The boos from the crowd, audible on TV, were not.)
“This one will be talked about,” he said.
Darling was a little more loquacious.
“It’s the kind of moves that managers the last three, four, five years have had to live with,” Darling said. “They just have this scripted feel for what they want to happen. The problem is you have a kid who is pitching the game of his life.”
It was like one of those moments in a movie where one of the characters is intent on doing something dumb, while the audience is screaming for them not to do it. “Don’t go down into the dark basement!”
Lovullo skipped merrily right down the stairs, but it worked out all right.
It all added to the drama, and the TBS crew was adept at building on it.
“Gonna be a last-at-bat win for someone here in Game 3,” Anderson said at the top of the ninth inning, the score tied 1-1.
Arizona relief pitcher Paul Sewald was about to face the heart of the Philadelphia lineup.
“This has got to be one of the toughest ‘hold them right there’ that a reliever has ever faced,” Darling said.
Also one of the most rewarding, at least for Diamondbacks fans.
This is the kind of madness you could get used to.
How to watch Diamondbacks vs. Phillies Game 4
Friday, Oct. 20: Philadelphia at Arizona, Game 4, 5:07 p.m. on TBS.
Saturday, Oct. 21: Philadelphia at Arizona, Game 5, 5:07 p.m. on TBS.
Monday, Oct. 23: Arizona at Philadelphia, Game 6 (if necessary), 2:07 p.m. on TBS.
Tuesday, Oct. 24 Arizona at Philadelphia, Game 7 (if necessary), 5:07 p.m.
How to listen to Diamondbacks game on the radio
First pitch is at 5:07 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.
Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: @goodyk.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What channel is the Diamondbacks game on tonight? How to watch Game 4