Live analysis: Phillies manager's blunt response to lineup shakeup vs Dbacks in Game 7

PHILADELPHIA − Phillies manager Rob Thomson wasn't about to tinker with a lineup that has his team one win away from the World Series.

So Thomson was emphatic when asked about the possibility of making some lineup changes for Game 7 of the NLCS despite several players slumping, including No. 4 and No. 5 hitters Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott, respectively.

"Zero," Thomson said.

He elaborated Tuesday before the game, mostly about why he's keeping Bohm at No. 4 and Stott at No. 5 in the order.

NO WIN FOR NOLA: Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies' imperfections finally appear at an inopportune time

SUAREZ AND KOUFAX? In franchise's first Game 7, Phillies have faith in Ranger Suarez, their Sandy Koufax

"In the playoffs we're 8-4, and we're plus-31 run differential with this lineup − basically this lineup," Thomson said. "Stott has the second-best batting average with runners in scoring position in our lineup, and Bohm is third.

"To move people around at this point just doesn't make much sense to me. That's my answer."

In this series, Stott is hitting .333 (5-for-15) with runners in scoring position. Bohm is actually tied for fourth at .267 (4-for-15), just behind Bryce Harper who's third at .273 (3-for-11).

It's not like Thomson has many alternatives. He likes having Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner and Harper as his first three hitters, in part because the Phillies can go left-right-left against Diamondbacks starter Brandon Pfaadt.

Schwarber and Harper have also been the Phillies' best hitters. Each has five homers in the postseason, with all five of Schwarber's coming in the NLCS.

After that, it's more of a crapshoot. Right fielder Nick Castellanos has hit anywhere from No. 2 to No. 8 in the lineup this season. But Castellanos, who has been hitting No. 7 throughout the postseason, is 0-for-19 since homering in his first NLCS at-bat.

So he would seem unlikely to move up to No. 4.

Castellanos said after the Phillies' 5-1 loss in Game 6, when they managed just five hits, that he's been close to breaking out of his slump.

"Just continue to take good swings," he said when asked how he can turn things around. "From the first game that we were in (Arizona), I would get my ‘A’ swing off, and I’d just foul pitches straight back over and over again. And then also sinkers down and in, taking good swings and fouling it off my foot. It’s a game of inches."

The Phillies could move J.T. Realmuto up from No. 6 into the cleanup spot. He leads the Phillies with 6 RBIs in the NLCS, thus pushing Bohm and Stott down a spot.

But that would serve as window dressing at this point. When the Phillies have hit, they've been next to unstoppable. That's why Schwarber said he believes in his teammates, and that he won't change his approach of being patient at the plate in Game 7.

"I’ll take four walks (Tuesday) if I can because we got trust in the guys behind us, plain and simple," he said. "This offense is so deep. If we get traffic on base, I’ll take our chances with anyone at the plate."

Phillies, Diamondbacks announce NLCS Game 7 lineups

Sure enough, the Phillies did not change their lineup Tuesday against Pfaadt, who was 3-9 with a 5.72 ERA during the season. But in Game 3, Pfaadt pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing only 2 hits while striking out 9.

The Phillies have Ranger Suarez (4-6, 4.18 ERA) pitching. Suarez, however, has an ERA of 0.64 in three postseason starts.

Here's the Phillies' lineup:

1.Kyle Schwarber DH

2. Trea Turner SS

3. Bryce Harper 1B

4. Alec Bohm 3B

5. Bryson Stott 2B

6. J.T. Realmuto C

7. Nick Castellanos RF

8. Brandon Marsh LF

9. Johan Rojas CF

Zack Wheeler is available to pitch in Game 7, if needed

Zack Wheeler was the winning pitcher in Game 5 on Saturday, allowing just one run in seven innings.

Thomson said Wheeler would be available to pitch out of the bullpen in Game 7 if needed.

"I would think so," Thomson said. "It's going to be all hand on deck. Everybody but (Aaron) Nola."

Nola, of course, started Game 6 and was the losing pitcher, giving up four runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Phillies vs Diamondbacks live analysis: NLCS Game 7 to World Series