Who Pitched Better in the Regular Season?

The Phillies had their issues early on, but they eventually got their act together and pitched to a 3.66 ERA over their final 105 games. By rWAR, their starters and relievers ranked fourth and third out of all MLB teams, respectively.

The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, finished below the National League average in posting a 4.47 ERA. Depth was a persistent issue, particularly in a starting rotation that arguably still doesn't have a solid No. 3 starter behind Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly.

Who's Pitching Better in the Postseason?

Once again, the tables have turned. Though the Phillies' 1.53 ERA is the best of any team so far in the playoffs, the Diamondbacks aren't far behind with a 2.20 ERA.

The Phillies can boast of having shut down one of the mightiest offenses in history in the Division Series, but even they might be in envy of Arizona's bullpen these days. It's handled 20.1 innings and allowed only four earned runs while striking out 23 batters.

Best Pitcher Matchup: Zac Gallen vs. Zack Wheeler

Wheeler was the best pitcher in baseball this year. That's at least according to fWAR, and nobody can say he hasn't looked the part in punching out 18 batters against only one walk and three earned runs allowed in his two playoff starts.

Rob Friedman @PitchingNinja

Zack Wheeler's 3Ks in the 2nd.<br><br>6Ks thru 2. 😯 <a href="">

You only have to go down to the No. 6 spot to find Gallen on that fWAR list, and his own introduction to the playoffs has been impressive. He pitched into the sixth inning in both of his starts and has just four runs in 11.1 innings on his record.

Diamondbacks X-Factor: Brandon Pfaadt

Then again, maybe Arizona does have a solid No. 3 starter. One could have made that case for Pfaadt after he made a strong return in July from a stint in the minors, and even more so now that he's coming off a short, yet dominant outing in the clincher against the Dodgers.

Phillies X-Factor: Craig Kimbrel

Kimbrel may rank eighth all-time with 417 saves, but a lot of breath gets held when he's on the mound in a playoff game. To wit, he's struck out exactly one of the 22 batters he's faced in his last six playoff outings.