Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen available out of bullpen for Game 7 vs. Phillies

PHILADELPHIA — Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star starting pitcher Zac Gallen will be in the bullpen during Game 7 of the NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Gallen came to him after Game 6 on Monday and said he’d be ready to go if called upon with a trip to the World Series on the line.

“I have a couple of things scripted out in my mind that I’ve been thinking about over the course of the night, I’ll talk to (pitching coach Brent Strom) and we’ll figure that out,” Lovullo said.

Torey Lovullo said Zac Gallen went up to him yesterday and told him he’d be ready to go for Game 7: pic.twitter.com/zeBzbd091x

— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) October 24, 2023

“Is he part of the game plan? I don’t know that answer, but if we need him at some point, whether it’s in the game plan or late innings, extra innings, he’s going to be available to us. That really gets me excited.”

Gallen started Games 2 and 5 of the NLCS, both D-backs losses. It hasn’t been the smoothest series after he started the postseason with a couple wins, as he’s allowed nine runs in 11 innings with five homers. Gallen threw 93 pitches on Saturday.

Rookie Brandon Pfaadt gets the ball to start Game 7 against Philadelphia’s Ranger Suarez.

Lovullo said the plan for Pfaadt is consistent with the past month-plus of letting him get through the order twice, give or take a few at-bats. Pfaadt pitched 5.2 scoreless innings in Game 3, a 2-1 Arizona win.

“I don’t think he’s going to change his mindset,” Lovullo said. “I don’t think he’s going to change his game plan or approach to how he can go out there and be as ready as possible. I think he simplifies things. That’s one of his great gifts.”

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