Photo: Brandon Pfaadt has been the ace in the hole for the Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks have reached the World Series for only the second time in their history with a 5-2 win over the Phillies in Philadelphia. The 119th edition of the World Series will take place against two wildcard teams, neither of which were picked to do anything of this significance this season.
After losing both games, one and two in Philly, the D-Backs came home strong to take three and four. A tough home loss in game five left the D-Backs down 3-2 heading back east for a game six, and a possible game seven.
The 5-1 win on Monday behind the strong start by former Yavapai College pitcher Merrill Kelly secured a seventh game. Arizona’s last seventh game series win was in 2001 when the D-Backs beat the Yankees for their only championship up to this point.
The clinching win in game seven proved once again that this team has the ability to withstand the challenges and prosper. Brandon Pfaadt’s stock as a post season pitcher continues to climb. It took Pfaadt a while in the regular season to get in a groove. Now it is safe to say that he may be the best on the staff of starters right now, posting 14 innings, allowing two runs on eight hits, walking only two while striking out 18. Kevin Ginkel had a marvelous regular season posting a (9-1) record as a late inning reliever. He has also stepped up his game. He has pitched nine innings in six games, giving up just two hits, striking out 13, and walking just one.
Ketel Marte earned himself the MVP of the series, with a good supporting cast. Look for more exciting play form Corbin Carroll and the rest of the D-Backs on their quest for the championship.
Now it is onto Texas to face the Rangers. The D-Backs took three out of four in the regular season, with a two game home mini sweep in August, and splitting two games earlier in the season in Arlington.
Game one starts at 5:05 pm. The pitching matchup will be Nathan Evaldi for the Rangers and Zac Gallen for Arizona. The games will be on FOX, so even those with regular antennas will be able to see the games.
Torey Lovullo can reset his staff again for the series. Gallen, Kelly, Pfaadt will be the starters for the first three games. The order could very well repeat itself, unless Lovullo wants to make game four a bullpen game. Whatever he chooses to do, he is confident in his players to get the job done. “This team continues to play at a high level and there is no reason to think that it won’t continue in this series. They are having fun and enjoying every moment of it.”
2023 WORLD SERIES Schedule
Game 1 At Texas Friday, October 27
Game 2 At Texas Saturday, October 28
Game 3 At Arizona Monday, October 30
Game 4 At Arizona Tuesday, October 31
Game 5 At Arizona (If Necessary) Wednesday, November 1
Game 6 At Texas (If Necessary) Friday, November 3
Game 7 At Texas (If Necessary) Saturday, November 4
