What to expect from the Diamondbacks-Phillies NLCS matchup
Both the Diamondbacks and Phillies earned comfortable victories in the divisional round of the playoffs and are now fighting for a shot at the World Series. Bob Nightengale explains
PHOENIX – Okay, it didn’t quite have the drama of Luis Gonzalez’s 2001 walk-off hit.
This was a Game 3 in the National League Championship Series, not a World Series Game 7.
This did not bring the Arizona Diamondbacks a title over the powerful New York Yankees, who made Gonzalez a hero in Arizona.
But on a record-breaking hot day in Arizona with temperatures reaching 103°, Ketel Marte’s name will forever be etched in D-backs history.
It was Marte’s one-out walk-off single in the ninth inning that not only saved the Diamondbacks’ season with a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Championship Series, but also prevented manager Torey Lovullo from throwing the ball was vilified all winter long.
Brandon Pfaadt, the D-backs’ 25-year-old rookie, was throwing the biggest game of his career on Thursday when he looked toward the dugout in the sixth inning and saw Lovullo running toward the mound. He could not believe it. The 47,075 spectators at Chase Field couldn’t make it either. Or even Pfaadt’s teammates.
“He looked good, man, he was great,” D-backs right fielder Tommy Pham said. “If anything, I would have left him in there. You don’t want to take out a guy like that when you have that much momentum.” Page. Let him carry on.
Pfaadt had given up just two hits, striking out nine, and thrown just 70 pitches in 5 ⅔ shutout innings. He joined Don Newcombe of the 1949 Brooklyn Dodgers as the only rookies to strike out at least nine batters without a walk in postseason history.
Nevertheless, Lovullo went to the mound and was met with loud boos, with fans expressing their disgust at the decision and saying, according to Lovullo, “Has the manager lost his absolute mind?”
“I’m sure I was the most unpopular guy in the city of Phoenix, downtown and maybe the entire state of Arizona, right? “I booed myself as I walked to the mound,” Lovullo said. “I didn’t have to be in the stands. …
“I want everyone to know that we have a strategy. I have a strategy for everything that is done. Everything that was done was well spoken about. It’s not just about analytics. I know how quickly playoff baseball can change.
“So yeah, I’m ready to get booed. I’m ready to be doubted. It’s my job.”
The decision to remove him was largely scripted, with Lovullo saying before the game that he expected Pfaadt to face about 18 batters, which was exactly the number Pfaadt had seen. But Lovullo dismissed the claim, saying it was simply a matter of analysis and that a decision was made without discussing it with pitching coach Brent Strom and his staff.
“So the conversations are very typical,” Lovullo said. “I ask her if the manager is an idiot after he takes out his basket after five and two periods.” [innings]. “I know it’s a very unpopular decision, but we have great information.”
Pfaadt wasn’t particularly happy with the decision either, but hey, he’s a newbie. What will he say? Plus, everything worked out in the end.
“Of course I’m a competitor,” said Pfaadt. “I want to keep going. Everyone does that, but at the end of the day you just have to trust your decision and move forward, go to the bullpen and let them do their jobs.”
Despite some shaky moments in the bullpen after Pfaadt’s departure, when he scored a run on reliever Ryan Thompson’s wild pitch in the seventh inning, the D-backs quickly recovered and scored the game-winning run in the seventh inning.
That kicked off the ninth inning, in which the Diamondbacks capitalized on the ferocity of veteran closer Craig Kimbrel, retiring only one of the four batters he faced. The highlight was Marte’s sharp single to center field, which drew wild celebrations.
And yes, a lot of relief as the D-Backs won their first NLCS game since beating Atlanta in 2001.
“It feels great,” Marte said. “In my opinion, this is exactly what we needed, right? The support, a little bump or a little nudge so that we can somehow turn it against them. … I’m looking forward to fighting.”
Marte was truly destined to be the Diamondbacks’ hero.
He’s the only one running for Arizona. Marte is 6-of-13 (.462) in the series while his teammates are hitting just .179.
“He has an incredible heartbeat,” Lovullo said. “He loves being in this moment. He’s one of our best players for a reason. …
“Ketel thrives in this situation. He just has the heart of a lion. He wants to do his job and be the main guy who helps his team win a baseball game.
Without Tommy Pham, who was then busy assembling motorized rally cars in the clubhouse, Marte might never have had the chance to become a hero.
Pham, who was zero-for-12 and had a strikeout in his first two at-bats Thursday, was told he would be removed from the game in the sixth inning for a pinch-hitter. Still, he found himself in the on-deck circle at the end of the inning.
Lovullo stayed with Pham to open the seventh inning, and he delivered a sharp leadoff single to center field off reliever Orion Kerkering. The speedy Alek Thomas was brought in to pinch run for Pham and he easily scored after a sharp double from Lourdes Gurriel in the left corner, leveling the game at 1-1.
“They wanted to get me out,” Pham said, “but I guess I’ll have to prove them wrong.”
The Diamondbacks are still down 2-1 in the NLCS, but still have life now knowing that their guaranteed-win ace Zac Gallen will pitch Game 5 at Chase Field after dealing with a bullpen-by-play on Friday. Committee decided.
MATCH 3 SUMMARY: Diamondbacks beat Phillies on Ketel Marte’s walk-off
“Zac is pitching at home, hey, that sounds pretty good,” Pham. “I’ll take it any day.”
The D-backs still believe, and if nothing else, they may have cast a little doubt that the Phillies won’t overwhelm them en route to a return to the World Series.
“We have a lot of talent in this club,” said Marte. “We just have to believe in it. And I think we do. We can compete with anyone in this league.”
“You see that.”
Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale