The Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks are set to face off in a high-stakes Game 7 tonight at Citizens Bank Park, with a ticket to the World Series on the line. Both teams have their aces available and their bullpens rested, promising an intense battle on the mound.

For the Phillies, left-handed pitcher Ranger Suárez will take the mound. Suárez has been a standout performer in the playoffs, and the Phillies will rely on his arm to dominate the D-backs' lineup. On the other side, the Diamondbacks will turn to rookie right-hander Brandon Pfaadt, who has been impressive in his last two postseason starts, hurling 10 scoreless innings.

Given the gravity of the situation, both managers, Rob Thomson and Torey Lovullo, will not hesitate to make aggressive pitching moves. It's a "one game to rule them all" scenario, where every available pitcher will be called upon, even if it's just for a brief appearance. Both teams will prioritize pulling their starters early to prevent any potential trouble and keep the game tightly contested.

In his three playoff starts, Pfaadt has not faced more than 18 batters, equivalent to two trips through the opposing lineup. Suárez, meanwhile, has faced up to 20 batters in a game but may still be lifted early to avoid any decline in performance. It is highly unlikely that either starter will be allowed to face the batting order for a third time.

In terms of bullpen usage, both teams have well-rested arms ready to make an impact in Game 7. The Diamondbacks used four relievers in their previous game, with closer Paul Sewald throwing just 11 pitches. While Sewald has had mixed results pitching on zero days of rest during the regular season, he has been effective in this playoff run.

The Phillies, on the other hand, had a heavier bullpen workload in their last game due to Aaron Nola's struggles. Closer Craig Kimbrel led the way with 20 pitches, but Thomson still has reliable options like Orion Kerkering and Michael Lorenzen at his disposal. The team's best reliever, José Alvarado, has been well-rested and could play a crucial role tonight. Thomson may also turn to Jeff Hoffman, Seranthony Domínguez, and Matt Strahm, who will have two days' rest.

In a surprising twist, both teams' aces, Zack Wheeler and Zac Gallen, who faced each other in Game 5, are available for relief duty. While neither has experience coming out of the bullpen, their dominant stuff could prove valuable in a short-burst role. However, it would be ideal to bring them into clean innings to maximize their effectiveness.

Game 7 of the NLCS is expected to be a battle of the bullpens, with managers Thompson and Lovullo strategizing their moves meticulously. The path from the dugout to the mound will see a steady stream of pitchers as both teams vie for a spot in the Fall Classic. The outcome of tonight's game will undoubtedly hinge on the ability of the pitching staffs to execute their strategies and shut down the opposing lineups.

In just a few hours, fans will witness the culmination of this thrilling series, as the Phillies and Diamondbacks fight for the chance to continue their championship journey. Stay tuned for all the action and drama as Game 7 unfolds.