As the Arizona Diamondbacks face elimination from the MLB playoffs ahead of Game 6 of the NLCS, manager Torey Lovullo is trying to keep his guys motivated. The D-backs seem to be facing tough odds but that hasn’t stopped them from getting this far. After losing a crucial Game 5 following two consecutive wins at home, the Diamondbacks are in a must-win scenario Tuesday evening.

“We didn't come cross-country to get our a*ses kicked,” Lovullo said, via Cameron Cox. “We came here to play our best baseball game, and our guys will be ready to go.”

Arizona almost had the curtain closed on its season before this series even started. Philadelphia jumped out to a 2-0 series lead thanks to an offensive outburst of 15 runs in two games. The Diamondbacks were able to quiet down the Phillies offense in Game 3 and carried momentum off their first win of the series to a Game 4 win to even the NLCS.

After a Phillies Game 5 win, the Diamondbacks have their backs against the wall and head into a hostile environment in Citizens Bank Park. Arizona will deploy Merrill Kelly to the mound for his second start of the series. The 35-year-old allowed four runs in 5.2 innings in a Game 2 start, striking out six Phillies batters in a 10-0 loss.

Both teams used their bullpens heavily during the three games in Arizona, so both Kelly and Phillies starter Aaron Nola could have longer leashes in this game. The Diamondbacks will hope the dice roll in their favor tonight and bring them back to Philadelphia on Tuesday night for a Game 7.