The 84-78 Arizona Diamondbacks, on paper, had no business trying to defeat and eliminate the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series.
That’s on paper: in reality, postseason baseball gives everyone a fair chance, and recent history says the teams with fewer rest come fresher and more prepared to these games.
After incredible victories on Saturday and Monday, the D-Backs are up 2-0 in the NLDS against LA.
The Dodgers have their backs against the wall: one more loss and they will be out of the race again against an “underdog.”
It happened last year, when they were knocked out by the San Diego Padres in the NLDS; and it’s about to happen again.
The D-Backs are playing high-level baseball at the moment, with excellent pitching and timely hitting.
More importantly, they are proving that power matters in the postseason.
“The Arizona Diamondbacks have homered in 15 consecutive postseason games, the second-longest streak in playoff history,” MLB insider Bob Nightengale tweeted.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have homered in 15 consecutive postseason games, the second-longest streak in playoff history.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 10, 2023
The D-Backs streak goes back to 2007, which happens to be the last year they made the National League Championship Series.
On Monday, they relied on an excellent start by Zac Gallen (two earned runs allowed in 5.1 frames) and incredible bullpen play to hold off the Dodgers.
However, they used a key home run by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and some inspired play by star rookie Corbin Carroll, who took three walks and had a hit, a run and a stolen base.
The teams will play again on Wednesday in Arizona as the D-Backs try to complete the shocking series win.
NEXT: Corbin Carroll Made Franchise History In Game 1 Win
