PHOENIX — Two years after dropping 110 video games, the Arizona Diamondbacks are headed to the postseason for the primary time since 2017.
Early on it appeared that Saturday evening was going to be an excellent one for the D-backs, as all they wanted was both to beat the Astros or have the Reds lose to the Cardinals. When the D-backs took the sector initially of their recreation, the Cardinals had been already beating the Reds, 5-0, and by the point the primary inning was over, the St. Louis lead was as much as 10-0.
The Reds mounted a little bit of a comeback, however it will not be sufficient, as they fell 15-6 simply as D-backs first baseman Christian Walker drew a stroll to guide off the underside of the eighth inning.
The D-backs dugout erupted, and the clubhouse workers instantly began overlaying up the lockers with plastic to guard in opposition to the approaching celebration.
D-backs right-hander Zac Gallen, who will get the ball in Sport 2 of the Wild Card Collection, was within the dugout when the Reds rating went ultimate on the scoreboard.
“I believe, after I noticed the sport went ultimate in St. Louis, I simply zoned out of the sport for a second,” Gallen mentioned. “It simply form of hit me that we might been by some issues right here. We have grinded and everyone had their very own struggles and triumphs and whatnot, however I believe it simply makes it that a lot sweeter.”
That the D-backs are within the postseason is assured. That they would be the visiting crew for the entire video games within the best-of-three collection can be assured. Who they are going to play, although, stays to be seen.
The D-backs are at the moment a half-game behind the Marlins for the No. 2 Wild Card spot. In the event that they end within the No. 3 spot, they must journey to Milwaukee to tackle the Brewers. If they can cross the Marlins, they might journey to Philadelphia to tackle the Phillies.
That the D-backs are the third crew in MLB historical past to go from a 110+ loss season to a playoff berth in a three-season span, becoming a member of this 12 months’s Orioles and the 2013-15 Astros, made the celebration Saturday evening extra significant.
“I believe it makes it slightly bit extra particular,” D-backs supervisor Torey Lovullo mentioned. “Contemplating the place we had been and the place we got here from — 110 losses two years in the past — we simply punched a ticket into the postseason. You already know, we’re one of many high groups within the Nationwide League. That didn’t occur by luck, it occurred as a result of we’re a reliable group and we’re able to compete each single evening.”
The season was removed from a clean journey for the D-backs. They began out properly, and on the All-Star break, they had been 52-39, tied with the Dodgers for the NL West lead.
The D-backs, although, stumbled badly out of the gate following the break, and by Aug. 11, they had been 57-59. The postseason at that time appeared like a good distance off.
“Lots of people did not suppose we might be right here,” D-backs right-hander Merrill Kelly mentioned. “It seemed like we’d have given it away there in the direction of the center a part of the season. So yeah, I am simply excited. Clearly, it’s going to be my first time within the playoffs within the huge leagues so I am clearly wanting ahead to the vitality. I don’t know if it’s going to be Milwaukee or Philly however both method, I do know it’s going to be loud.”
The one two gamers nonetheless on the roster from the 2017 D-backs are second baseman Ketel Marte and Walker. Each have seen the highs and lows throughout their time in Arizona.
“We stored working,” Marte mentioned. “We by no means gave up. We stored on engaged on the little issues and put ourselves ready to win. We’re going to maintain profitable ballgames, we’re going to be okay.”
It is going to be the seventh journey to the postseason for the D-backs of their 26-year historical past, which incorporates the World Collection title in 2001.