After the 4-2 game seven NLCS win over the Phillies, the Arizona Diamondbacks are headed to the world series for the first time since winning it all back in 2001.
In order to get there, it was an all out team effort for the Dbacks. Once the D’Backs arrived home at Chase Field, they had all odds stacked against them. Every analyst and major betting website had them losing the series early, and not even getting the series back to Philadelphia.
Things started to go their way in game three when Ketel Marte had one of the games of his life, batting 3-4 including the walk off hit, Marte put on a show. A more of an unsung hero in the series was outfielder Alek Thomas, who finished the regular season with 9 home runs, has 4 in the postseason, and potentially one that saved the series. In game four, things weren’t clicking for the D’Backs’ offense. As they were down 5-3 entering the bottom of the eighth, Alek Thomas tied everything up with his 2 run homerun off of Craig Krimbel. Eventually later in the inning, Gabriel Moreno drove in the game winning run, putting the D’Backs up 6-5.
Entering game six into Citizens Bank Park, the D’Backs were on their last stand. After a disappointing game five home loss, everyone was ready to count the D’Backs out. But Merrill Kelly was not ready to let the teams’ exciting postseason run end. Posting 5 innings, 8 strikeouts, only allowing 3 hits and 1 run of work, Kelly was not ready to come out of the game. Manager Torey Lovullo told Kelly that his night was over, Kelly was heated. But luckily for the D’Backs, the bullpen completely shut it down.
It was time for game seven, and Torey Lovullo was not going to let his team go down easily. He made sure everyone was locked in and ready. Starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt who had an up and down regular season posting a record of 3-9 and an era. of 5.72 ,Pfaadt was still figuring things out leading into the playoffs. After struggling in game one of the wild card vs. the Brewers, Pfaadt quickly bounced back strong in his NLDS game three performance. He was also dominant in game three of the NLCS, but was taken out some would say too early. Once game seven came around, Pfaadt eventually showed that he shines bright when the lights are the brightest. Getting out of crucial spots and still holding it down while trailing 2-1, Brandon Pfaadt kept his team alive.
Shortly after the solid pitching performance of Brandon Pfaadt, it was time for the D’Backs’ offense to create chaos. Corbin Carroll was a force, driving in 2 of the runs scored, and he showed that he was back to himself on the bases. The D’Backs eventually took the lead, and held onto it with another dominant performance from the bullpen, especially Kevin Ginkel and Paul Sewald.
Once it was time for the hardware, Ketel Marte was announced as the NLCS MVP, and it’s fitting given what Marte has been through with this team.
It is seemingly the most unlikely world series matchup, as this was all just a dream for both the Rangers and D’Backs two years ago. Both teams lost over 100 games, and now soon one is to be the next world champion. This series should be a fun one.
