Philadelphia leads the series 2-1
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES NOTES:
GAME 3 RECAP: The Phillies fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks, 2-1, in Game 3 of the 2023 NLCS in Phoenix … Starter Ranger Suarez didn’t factor into the decision but tossed 5.1 scoreless innings with only 3 hits, 1 walk and 7 strikeouts – Suarez’s postseason ERA is down to 0.94 in 28.2 innings pitched (3 ER) … Scoreless into the 7th, the Phillies scored first when Bryce Harper scurried home on a wild pitch to make it 1-0 Phils … Arizona answered in the bottom of the frame with a run as they tallied 3 straight hits off Orion Kerkering … Jose Alvarado was summoned with runners at the corners and 0 outs – he induced a double play and a comebacker to escape the jam – Alvarado went back out for the 8th and totaled 2.0 scoreless innings on only 15 pitches … In the 9th, Bryce Harper walked and stole 2nd base but was left stranded … In the bottom of the frame, Arizona eventually loaded the bases and scored a run on a single by Ketel Marte off Craig Kimbrel.
FLAGS FLY FOREVER: The Phillies are back in the National League Championship Series for the second consecutive year after winning their 8th pennant in franchise history last season, a 4-1 series win over the San Diego Padres … This marks the 11th NLCS in franchise history (1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1993, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2022, 2023) … All time, the Phillies are 28-22 in the NLCS (.560 win %) and 6-4 in series play … Since 1980, the Phillies are 26-13 in the NLCS with a .667 winning percentage that ranks 1st among all 12 MLB clubs who have played at least 30 LCS games … Since 1980 at home in the NLCS, the Phillies are 16-4 (.800 win %) which includes an 11-2 record at Citizens Bank Park (.846 win %).
RUNNIN’ DOWN A DREAM: Through 9 games this postseason, the Phillies have outscored the opposition 47-15 for a +32 run differential … In MLB history, Philadelphia’s current +32 run differential would rank 6th all time for a single postseason behind only the Red Sox in 2007 (+53), Braves in 1996 (+39), Dodgers in 2020 (+35), Red Sox in 2018 (+33) and White Sox in 2005 (+33) … Philadelphia’s +3.56 run differential per game would rank 7th all-time in the postseason, behind only the Yankees in 1932 (+4.50), Yankees in 1928 (+4.25), Yankees in 1960 (+4.00), Athletics in 1910 (+4.00), Red Sox in 2007 (+3.79) and Orioles in 1970 (+3.75). HOW’S THIS FOR STARTERS: Through 9 postseason games, the Phillies starting rotation has combined to go 6-0 with a 1.39 ERA (8 ER, 51.2 IP), an 11.60 SO/BB ratio (58 SO, 5 BB) while holding the 189 batters they have faced to a .436 OPS and posting a 0.68 WHIP (30 H) … Per Elias, Philadelphia’s 11.60 SO/BB ratio, .436 opponents OPS and 0.68 WHIP are all the best in MLB history for any rotation through the first 9 games of a single postseason … Their 1.39 ERA ranks 7th all-time through 9 games and is the lowest since the Brewers posted a 1.16 ERA through their first 9 games in the 2018 postseason.
TURNED HIM LOOSE: Phils’ shortstop Trea Turner has hit safely in 13 consecutive postseason games, dating back to Game 1 of the 2022 NLDS (since 10/11/22) – over that stretch he is batting .423 (22-52) – Turner is only four games away from the MLB record, which is 17 games in the postseason, held by 3 different players: Derek Jeter, Manny Ramirez and Hank Bauer… Over his last 15 postseason games (since 10/21/21), Turner is slashing .424/.477/.797 with a 1.274 OPS in 65 plate appearances – The only infielders in MLB history with an OPS as high as Turner’s over a 15-game span in the postseason are Jose Altuve, David Freese, Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, Alex Rodriguez, Nomar Garciaparra, George Brett and Lou Gehrig … This postseason, Turner has reached base safely in 20 of his 38 plate appearances and has 4 walks and 4 stolen bases with only 5 strikeouts … Turner is 16-for-34 at the plate (.471 AVG) with a .526 OBP, .882 SLG and has posted a 1.409 OPS through 9 games – he has scored 8 runs and has 5 doubles, 3 home runs and 4 RBI.
LEGEND OF THE FALL: Two-time MVP (2015 & 2021) and 2022 NLCS MVP Bryce Harper has played 26 postseason games for the Phillies – in 110 plate appearances, Harper is slashing .352/.459/.758 with a 1.217 OPS, 23 runs, 7 doubles, 10 home runs, 20 RBI and 17 walks … In 75 plate appearances against right-handers, Harper has posted a 1.346 OPS and in 35 plate appearances against left-handers, Harper has a .949 OPS … The Phillies are 16-3 in the postseason when Harper scores a run (.842), 9-0 when he homers and 10-0 when he knocks in a run … Harper had a 1.232 OPS through his first 25 postseason games with the Phillies which ranked 2nd in MLB history for any player’s first 25 postseason games with a club – he trailed only Lou Gehrig who posted a 1.323 OPS in his first 25 games with the Yankees from 1926-36 – SF’s Barry Bonds ranks 3rd (1.229 OPS), TB’s Randy Arozarena ranks 4th (1.192 OPS) and STL’s David Freese ranks 5th (1.189 OPS).
HARPER, RUTH, GEHRIG: In 45 games and 199 postseason plate appearances in his career, Bryce Harper is slashing .287/.394/.635 with a 1.029 OPS … Among all players in MLB postseason history (min. 150 PA), Harper’s 1.029 OPS ranks 3rd behind only Babe Ruth (1.211 OPS in 167 PA) and Lou Gehrig (1.208 OPS in 150 PA) … Harper’s .635 SLG also ranks 3rd all-time in the postseason, behind only Ruth (.744 SLG) and Gehrig (.731 SLG) … Per FanGraphs, Harper is up to 2.33 Win Probability Added in the postseason which ranks 9th all time – he trails David Ortiz (3.22), Carlos Correa (3.09), Albert Pujols (2.73), Pete Rose (2.70), Lance Berkman (2.70), Gehrig (2.41), George Springer (2.37) and Carlos Beltran (2.34).
BALL GO BOOM: This postseason, the Phillies have outhomered the opposition 19-4 and dating back to last postseason, have hit 43 home runs compared to the 21 Phillies pitching has permitted … The Phillies have 39 extra-base hits this postseason (20 2B, 19 HR) and have posted a .533 SLG and .882 OPS in 330 plate appearances … Philadelphia’s 19 home runs this postseason rank T-3rd in franchise history (with 2008), and
trail only 25 HR in 2009 and 24 HR in 2022.
DEBUT TIME: Tonight’s starter Cristopher Sanchez will be the 5th Phillies starter to make their postseason debut since the start of last postseason – The previous four, Zack Wheeler (0 ER, 6.1 IP), Aaron Nola (0 ER, 6.2 IP), Ranger Suarez (1 ER, 3.1 IP) and Bailey Falter (4 ER, 0.2 IP) combined to post a 2.65 ERA (5 ER, 27.0 IP) … Among the 145 MLB pitchers who made 15 starts this season, Sanchez’s 57.8% ground ball rate ranked 4th behind only Logan Webb (61.6%), Marcus Stroman (58.4%) and Alex Cobb (58.0%) … Sanchez also posted a 6.00 SO/BB ratio which ranked 5th among the 145 pitchers to make 15 starts … Since ball in play data became available in 1987, only four pitchers have made 15 starts in a season with a groundball percentage of 55.0% or higher while posting a 6.00 SO/BB ratio: Sanchez, Webb, Roy Halladay in 2003 & 2005 and Greg Maddux from 1995-97.
BEDLAM AT THE BANK: The Phillies are 28-11 all time in the postseason at Citizens Bank Park with a .718 winning percentage that is the best in MLB history for any club to play 30+ postseason games at their home venue (Elias) … NYM (.667) at Shea Stadium (1969-2006) ranks 2nd, STL (.660 win %) at Busch Memorial Stadium (1967-2005) ranks 3rd, BAL (.633 win %) at Memorial Stadium (1966-83) ranks 4th and NYY (.627 win %) at Yankee Stadium I (1923-2007) ranks 5th … After losing their first 2 postseason games at CBP, Game 1 & 2 of the 2007 NLDS vs COL, the Phillies are 28-9 in the postseason at CBP since 2008 with a .757 winning percentage that ranks 1st among all MLB teams at home since 2008 (min. 20 G), in front of SF (.643), HOU (.620), LAD (.603) and NYY (.595) … The Phils reached 25 postseason wins at CBP in only 36 games which is tied for the fastest to 25 wins in MLB history at a home venue during the postseason with the Mets at Shea Stadium (also 25-11) … The Phillies have won 11 straight postseason games against the National League at home which is the longest such streak by either the NL or the AL against its own league in MLB history.
HATS OFF TO YOU, THOMS: Phils’ skipper Rob Thomson is only the 3rd manager in MLB history to win 18 of the first 25 postseason games to begin a managerial career … He is joined by two Hall-of-Famers: Joe McCarthy went 18-7 with the Cubs and Yankees from 1929-39 and Casey Stengel went 18-7 with the Yankees from 1949-53 … Thomson is only the second manger in MLB history to reach the League Championship Series in their first two years as manager – he joined Mike Matheny, who guided the St. Louis Cardinals to the NLCS in his first two seasons from 2012-13 … Thomson, the 56th manager in Phillies history, is the only one of those 56 to reach the postseason in their first two seasons as manager of the Phillies … Per Baseball Reference, there have been 838 managers in MLB history – of those 838, Thomson is one of only 13 to reach the postseason in their first two seasons as a manager (per Elias) … In chronological order, he is joined by John Schneider (2022-23), Rocco Baldelli (2019-20), Aaron Boone (2018-19), Jeff Banister (2015-16), Matheny (2012-13), Ron Gardenhire (2002-03), Bob Brenly (2001-02), Larry Dierker (1997-98), Ralph Houk (1961-62), Mickey Cochrane (1934-35), Bucky Harris (1924-25) and Hughie Jennings (1907-08) … Since Thomson took over on June 3, 2022, the Phillies are 155-118 with a .568 winning percentage that ranks T-6th in MLB.
YOU’RE SO GOLDEN: The Phillies have four finalists for the Gold Glove Award at their respective positions … Second baseman Bryson Stott, catcher J.T. Realmuto and pitchers Taijuan Walker and Zack Wheeler … Walker and Wheeler ranked in the top four among all pitchers in Defensive Runs Saved (Walker ranked T-2nd with 5 and Wheeler ranked T-4th with 4) … Stott ranked T-4th among all players in Major League Baseball with 17 Outs Above Average … Realmuto led all catchers again with an average 1.83 pop time to second base.
NLDS RECAP: The Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves, 3-1, in the 2023 National League Division Series … It marked Philadelphia’s second consecutive NLDS win over Atlanta … The Phillies won Games 1, 3 and 4 as they were led offensively by five players who posted OPS’ over 1.200: Nick Castellanos (1.796), Bryce Harper (1.765), Trea Turner (1.441) and Brandon Marsh (1.212) … Phillies’ starters combined to post a 2.18 ERA (5 ER, 20.2 IP) in 4 starts and Philadelphia’s relievers combined for a 1.26 ERA (2 ER, 14.1 IP SEASON RECAP: The Phillies woke up on June 3 (the one-year anniversary of Rob Thomson’s first game as manager) seven games under .500 at 25-32 and from that point on, went 65-40 with a .619 winning percentage that ranked T-3rd among all clubs in MLB (with BAL), behind only ATL (.676) and LAD (.625) … On Sept. 26, the Phillies clinched the top wildcard spot and their second consecutive postseason appearance with a walk-off win over the Pirates … The Phillies slugged 220 home runs this season which ranked 2nd in club history (224 in 2009) but they set a franchise record with 121 home runs after the All-Star break … The Phillies had six different players with 20+ home runs which set a franchise record … Zack Wheeler led all pitchers in MLB in fWAR (5.9) as Philadelphia’s pitching combined for 24.4 fWAR which led MLB and was 6.3 wins in front of SD who ranked 2nd in the NL at 18.1 fWAR.
CITIZENS BANK SPARK: The Phillies went 49-32 at CBP this season with a +83 run differential (418-335) that was their best mark at home since they were +114 at home in 2011 (367-253) … Of their 26 home series this season, the Phillies won 17 of them … Philadelphia’s 49 wins and .605 winning percentage were both tied for 3rd-best in CBP history (since 2004), behind only the 2010 club (54-30, .643) and the 2011 team (52-39, .642) … The Phillies reached 3,000,000 in attendance for the 9th time in the history of CBP and for the first time since 2013 … Philadelphia saw their attendance increase by over 9,500 per game from a season ago which was the most of any club in MLB.
IN COMPANY WITH COOPERSTOWN: On Sept. 12, Bryce Harper became only the 18th player in Major League Baseball history to reach 1,500 career hits and 300 home runs before turning 31 years old … He is joined by Hall-of-Famers Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Mell Ott, Duke Snider, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Eddie Mathews, Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson, Johnny Bench, Ken Griffey Jr. and Vladimir Gurrero … Of the 18 players in MLB history with 1,500 hits and 300 home runs before turning 31, the only ones currently not in the Hall of Fame are Harper, Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, Andruw Jones, Alex Rodriguez and Juan Gonzalez … Of those 18 players with 1,500 hits and 300 home runs before turning 31, only four had 900+ walks at the time: Mantle (973), Harper (947), Mathews (910) and Gehrig (909).
GET ME TO THE PLATE BOYS: In “Close & Late” situations (7th inning or later with the batting team ahead by one run, tied, or with the tying run on base, at bat or on deck), Bryce Harper had 91 plate appearances this season and slashed .387/.495/.667 with a 1.161 OPS that was the best in MLB – he reached base safely in 45 of those 91 plate appearances … Per FanGraphs, Harper ranked 2nd in MLB this year in Win probability Added at 5.77 – he trailed only Ronald Acuna Jr. (6.87) – Mookie Betts ranked 3rd behind Harper at 5.21.
LEADING MAN: Leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber had a career-high 126 walks this season which is T-4th in Phillies franchise history for a single year with HOF Billy Hamilton who had 126 in 1894 … Bobby Abreu ranks 3rd with 127 in 2004 and HOF Mike Schmidt ranks 2nd with 128 in 1983 … The franchise record for walks in a season is 129, set by Lenny Dykstra in 1993 … Schwarber ranked 2nd in MLB this year in both walks and walk rate (17.5%), trailing only Juan Soto in both (132, 18.6%) … After he was moved back to the leadoff spot on 6/2, the Phillies went 65-41 (.613 win %) – In that span, they went 46-16 when Schwarber scored a run (.742) and 24-7 in the 31 games he homered (.774) … Schwarber hit a franchise record 11 leadoff home runs this season which eclipsed Jimmy Rollins’ previous record of 9 in 2007.
120 WALKS, 100 RUNS, 100 RBI, 45 HOMERS: Kyle Schwarber (126 BB, 108 R, 104 RBI, 47 HR) is one of only 13 MLB players since 1920 (when RBI became official) with a 120 walk/100 R/100 RBI/45 HR season … Babe Ruth did so eight times, Barry Bonds four times, Mark McGwire two times, and Lou Gehrig, Chipper Jones, Aaron Judge, Harmon Killebrew, Ralph Kiner, Mickey Mantle, Willie McCovey, Mike Schmidt & Jim Thome all did so once.
SCHWARBER, McGWIRE, RUTH: In his first two seasons in Philadelphia (since 2022), Kyle Schwarber hit 93 home runs which ranks 2nd in MLB behind only Aaron Judge (99 HR) and he walked 212 times which also ranks 2nd in MLB behind only Juan Soto (267 BB) … Schwarber is only the 3rd player in MLB history with 90+ home runs and 200+ walks through any player’s first two seasons with a club: Mark McGwire with St. Louis from 1997-98 (94 HR, 205 BB) and Babe Ruth with the Yankees from 1920-21 (113 HR, 294 BB).
AMONG THE GREATS: Right-hander Craig Kimbrel finished the year with 1,191 career strikeouts which ranks 5th among all relief pitchers since at least 1893 (Elias) … Of the four relief pitchers currently in front of Kimbrel on the strikeout list, three are Hall of Famers (Hoyt Wilhelm – 1,363 SO, Goose Gossage – 1,340 SO, Lee Smith – 1,225 SO) and the other is Billy Wagner (1,196 SO), Kimbrel’s former teammate, who received 51.0% of the vote this past year, his 7th on the ballot … Kimbrel was selected as an All-Star for the 9th time in 2023 and picked up his first career save in an ASG … Kimbrel is only the 13th pitcher in history with 9+ career selections to the ASG – of those 13 players, 9 are in Cooperstown: Warren Spahn (14 ASG), Mariano Rivera (13 ASG), Tom Seaver (12 ASG), Tom Glavine (10 ASG), Randy Johnson (10 ASG), Steve Carlton (10 ASG), Goose Gossage (9 ASG), Juan Marichal (9 ASG) and Carl Hubbell (9 ASG) – the only four pitchers with nine+ ASG selections who are not in the HOF are Roger Clemens (11 ASG), Clayton Kershaw (10 ASG), Justin Verlander (9 ASG) and Kimbrel … He currently ranks 8th in MLB history with 417 saves.
TREA DAY: Shortstop Trea Turner had a career-high 66 extra-base hits in his first season in Philadelphia … He also hit 26 home runs, scored 102 runs and was a perfect 30-for-30 in stolen base attempts … Dating back to last season, Turner is 35-for-35 in stolen base attempts – his 100.0% success rate this season is the highest since 1951 among all MLB players who attempted at least 30 stolen bases in one season (previous: Brady Anderson in 1994 & Carlos Beltran in 2001, both 31-for-32/96.9%) … From Aug. 4 through the end of the season, (48 G), Turner slashed .337/.389/.668 with a 1.057 OPS (211 PA) that ranked 4th out of 143 qualified players in MLB.
ARMS RACE: The Phillies starting rotation led the National League with 899.0 innings pitched this year which ranked 3rd in MLB, behind only SEA (901.1) and HOU (900.0) … Philadelphia’s rotation put up 17.7 fWAR as a staff which ranked 1st among all MLB rotations (next: MIN, 16.5) and was 3.2 wins in front of the next closest NL club (SD, 14.5) … Consequently, Philadelphia’s bullpen threw the fewest innings of any relief corps in MLB this year with 543.1, yet Philadelphia’s relief pitchers combined for 6.7 fWAR which was 3rd in MLB behind LAD (7.6) and BAL (7.5) … Combined (SP & RP), Phillies pitching put up 24.4 fWAR this year which was the best in MLB (next: TB, 20.6) and was 6.3 wins in front of SD who ranked 2nd in the NL with 18.1 fWAR.
NLCS GAME 4 STARTER – CRISTOPHER SÁNCHEZ • LHP #61
2023: 3-5, 3.44 ERA Career: 6-7, 4.14 ERA
LAST START: 9/24 vs NYM: W, 7.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, 10 SO … Sánchez vs Butto… The Phillies defeated the New York Mets, 5-2, as they swept New York in a four-game series for the first time since June 24-27, 2019 … Starter Cristopher Sanchez (W, 3-5) went 7.0 innings and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits with 1 walk and 10 strikeouts … Nick Castellanos homered, Orion Kerkering made his ML debut (2 SO) and Michael Lorenzen became only the 10th pitcher since saves became official in 1969 to toss a no-hitter and pick up a save in the same season
TONIGHT’S START:
- Welcome to October: Sánchez will be making his postseason debut tonight … He will become the 5th Phillies starter to make their postseason debut since the start of last year and in those 4 other starts, they combined for a 2.65 ERA (5 ER, 17.0 IP) … He will become the 13th left-handed pitcher to start a postseason game for the Phillies
- Walk the Line: Sánchez ranked in the 98th percentile in walk % and his 1.45 BB/9.0 IP was 2nd in the NL (min. 75.0 IP) … Sánchez became the 2nd Phillie ever to make at least 15 starts in a season and walk 16 or fewer batters (other: Zach Eflin, 2021)
- Change It Up: Per Statcast, Sánchez struck out 58 batters with his changeup this season and recorded a 43% whiff % with it, up from a 29.8% whiff % in 2022 … On 9/24, all of his career-high 10 strikeouts came via the changeup and all of them were swings and misses … On 9/13, 18 of his career-high 21 swings and misses came against his changeup and it is the most swings and misses any ML pitcher has generated on a changeup since Luis Castillo recorded 18 on 8/5/19 and the most ever by a Phillies pitcher in the Statcast Era … He generated 110 swings and misses on his changeup this year, which was the 11th most in the NL
- A Few More Changes: His downward movement of 42.7 inches (with gravity) on his changeup was the best in baseball (min. 300 changeups thrown) and it has 9.2 more inches of drop than the ML average … His OPP AVG of .148 against it was 2nd in MLB (min. 100 PA) … His whiff rate was 6th (43%) and his OPP SLG was 8th (.274)
- Work Horse: Sánchez set a new career-high in appearances (19) and starts (18) … In 14 of his 18 starts this year, he went at least 5.0 IP
- Watch Me WHIP: Since being recalled on 6/17, Sánchez posted a 1.02 WHIP, which ranked 2nd in the NL in that span (min. 75.0 IP)
- Left In Charge: Sánchez held left-handers to a .133 AVG (10-75) this season, which ranked 6th in the NL (min. 75 batters faced) … Among LHP with at least 10 starts this year, Sánchez’s 3.44 ERA ranked 8th in the NL
- Keep it Grounded: Sánchez ranked in the 95th percentile in ground ball % with 57% … Sánchez also has the 9th lowest fly ball % with 26.0% (min. 70.0 IP) … Since FanGraphs began tracking batted ball stats in 2002, his 57% GB % is the 3rd best mark any Phillie has had in a single season (min. 70.0 IP)
- Reach for the Stars: Per Statcast, Sánchez’s average release extension (where the ball is released relative to the rubber) of 6.9 feet puts him in the 89th percentile among all ML pitchers … As a result, his sinker velocity, which averages at 92.1 mph, has a perceived velocity of 93.1 mph
- vs NL West: 0-2, 6.89 ERA (12 ER, 15.2 IP) in 6 games (2 starts)
- Pitch Usage: Sinker (46.2%), Changeup (32.7%), Slider (21.1%)
ROAD:
- 2023: 0-1, 2.08 ERA (6, ER, 26.0 IP) in 6 games (5 starts)
- Career: 1-2, 1 SV, 4.28 ERA (23 ER, 48.1 IP) in 15 games (5 starts)
2023 Season:
- Carried a no-hitter through five innings before being pulled from the game on 7/30 … It was the longest no-hit bid in his career
- Was recalled from Lehigh Valley (AAA) prior to his start on 6/17 at OAK … Sánchez is in his 2nd stint with the Phillies this season … He was reinstated from the 15-day IL (left triceps strain) prior to his start on 4/22 and was optioned postgame
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS NOTES:
STEADY BULLPEN: D-backs’ relievers, in their last 32 games since Sept. 5, have a 2.39 ERA (35 ER in 131.2 IP) and .203 OPP AVG.
♦ Arizona features the only bullpen remaining to not allow a home run this Postseason.
SLOWING THE ROLL: Yesterday, D-backs pitching allowed just 3 hits, the fewest given up to the Phillies this Postseason (previous low: 6, Game 1 of NLDS vs. Braves).
♦ It was the sixth time in franchise history where D-backs’ pitching has allowed 3 or fewer hits in a Postseason game:
Date H RD GM Opp Result R
10/19/2023 3 NLCS 3 PHI W 2-1 1
10/4/2011 3 NLDS 3 MIL W 8-1 1
10/28/2001 3 WS 2 NYY W 4-0 0
10/27/2001 3 WS 1 NYY W 9-1 1
10/16/2001 3 NLCS 1 ATL W 2-0 0
10/9/2001 3 NLDS 1 STL W 1-0 0
MARTE PART-AY: Ketel Marte has hit safely in each of his 12 career Postseason games (.385/.712 SLG; 20-for 52, 9 XBH) to become the first D-backs’ player in franchise history to do so (6th in MLB history). ♦Only 2 others have had longer hit streaks to begin a Postseason career (Marquis Grissom/15 and Greg Luzinski/13)…he is currently tied with Elvis Andrus (12), Nelson Cruz (12) and Darin Erstad (12).
MARTE WALKS US OFF: Ketel Marte collected his first career Postseason walkoff hit with his line drive single yesterday vs. Phillies in the bottom of the ninth.
♦ It marked his third career walkoff hit overall (previous 2: May 9 vs. Braves – single in Bot 10; July 2, 2017 vs. Rockies – single in Bot 9).
HISTORY REPEATING?: Yesterday’s Postseason walkoff hit by Ketel Marte marked the first by a D-back since Luis Gonzalez’s historical 2001 World Series Game 7 walkoff single over the Yankees and third ever in franchise history (also: Tony Womack’s single in Game 5 of 2001 NLDS vs. Cardinals).
POSTSEASON ANSWER-BACKS: The D-backs’ 3 comeback wins are the most this Postseason, ahead of the Phillies (2), Astros (1), Rangers (1) and Braves (1)… Arizona’s 3 this Postseason are the second most in franchise history, behind 2001 (4)…it was their 10th Postseason comeback win in franchise history. ♦The D-backs became the fourth team in Postseason history to have multi-run comeback wins in each of their first 2 games of the Postseason (Wild Card @ Brewers), joining the 1956 Dodgers, 2008 Rays and 2009 Yankees…Evan Longoria was a part of 2 of the teams (2008 Rays and 2023 Diamondbacks). In game 1 @ Brewers, the D-backs collected their first-ever Postseason win after trailing 3+ runs in a game…prior to the game, the D-backs were 0-14 in Postseason games when trailing 3+ runs. In game 2 @ Brewers, the D-backs overcame a 2-run deficit after plating 1 run in the fifth and 4 in the sixth.
HARD PFAADT: Yesterday, Brandon Pfaadt became the first pitcher in MLB history to allow 0 runs and 0 walks in consecutive postseason starts (source: @ESPNStatsInfo).
K MACHINE: Yesterday, at age 25-004 days, Brandon Pfaadt became the youngest starting pitcher in franchise history to record 9+ strikeouts in a Postseason start and was the first to do it since Brandon Webb (9 K, Oct. 3, 2007, NLDS GM 1)… he is the fourth pitcher in franchise history (11th time) to meet the 9+-strikeout feat, joining Webb (once), Curt Schilling (5x) and Randy Johnson (4x)…his 9 strikeouts also marked a career best (regular or Postseason) [previous high: 8, 3x – last: Sept. 27 @ White Sox).
♦ Pfaadt became the second pitcher in franchise history with 6+ strikeouts through 3 innings in a Postseason start (also: Randy Johnson, 2x) while his 7 strikeouts thru the first 4.0 innings tied for the most in a Postseason game in franchise history, joining Doug Davis (2007 NLDS
-GM 2) and Randy Johnson (2001 WS -GM 2) [source: @SlangsOnSports].
♦ His previous was 8 (3x – last: Sept. 27 @ White Sox) and tied for seventh-most by a rookie in a Postseason game, behind Livan Hernández
(15, Game 5 of the 1997 NLCS), Mike Boddicker (14, Game 2 of the 1983 ALCS), John Candelaria (14, Game 3 of the 1975 NLCS), Don Newcombe (11, Game 1 of the 1949 World Series), Tim Belcher (10, Game 2 of the 1988 NLCS), Dave Righetti (10, Game 2 of the 1981 ALDS) (source: Sarah Langs).
MOST STRIKEOUTS IN POSTSEASON WITHOUT A WALK: Yesterday, Brandon Pfaadt became the second pitcher in franchise history to strike out 9+ batters without a walk in a Postseason game (also: Curt Schilling, 2001 World Series Game 7).
♦ Pfaadt also became the fourth Rookie pitcher in MLB Postseason history to record 8+ strikeouts without a walk:
Don Newcombe/BRK ……..11 ……..1949 World Series
Brandon Pfaadt/AZ ……9 …….. 2023 NLCS
Dan Straily/OAK …………….8 ……….2013 ALDS
Miguel Gonzalez/BAL …….8 ……….2012 ALDS
BEST POSTSEASON HOME RECORDS BY VENUE (MIN. 20 GAMES):
PHI Citizens Bank Park …………..28-11 ……… .718
NYM Shea Stadium ………………..26-13 ……… .667
STL Busch Stadium ………………35-18 ……… .660
AZ Chase Field …………….. 15-8 ……… .652
BAL Memorial Stadium …………19-11 ……… .633
TEAMS TO WIN BEST-OF-7 AFTER LOSING FIRST 2 ROAD GAMES:
♦2004 ALCS – Red Sox defeat Yankees in 7 games
♦1985 NLCS – Cardinals defeat Dodgers in 6 games
♦1981 World Series – Dodgers defeat Yankees in 6 games
♦1978 World Series – Yankees defeat Dodgers in 6 games
♦1971 World Series – Pirates defeat Orioles in 7 games
SNAKES IN THE POSTSEASON: Entering today, the D-backs’ 14 home runs are third most this Postseason, behind the Phillies (19) and Astros (16), while they are second in stolen bases (8):
TEAM HR AB TEAM SB ATT
Phillies 19 289 Phillies 11 13
Astros 16 276 D-backs 8 11
D-backs 14 263 Rangers 4 4
Rangers 13 312 Astros 2 2
TOTAL BAGS AMONG REMAINING ROOKIES THIS POSTSEASON:
Josh Jung/TEX ………………………………………………..25 (9 G)
Evan Carter/TEX ……………………………………………..17 (9 G)
Corbin Carroll/AZ …………………………………. 15 (8 G)
Johan Rojas/PHI ……………………………………………..3 (9 G)
STARTING PITCHER – LHP JOE MANTIPLY ♦ #35
AT A GLANCE: 2022 All-Star is in his fourth season with the D-backs and sixth in the Majors…signed by the D-backs as a Minor League free agent on Jan. 3, 2020.
- In 4 seasons with the D-backs, has gone 3-9 with 2 saves and a 3.93 ERA (66 R-54 ER in 123.2 IP).
- Set a MLB and club record for most consecutive games by a LHP without a walk (34) from April 9-July 10, 2022.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Is making his first career Postseason start and first start against the Phillies.
- Made 3 regular season starts in 2023…faced the Rangers on Aug. 21(0 ER in 0.2 IP), the Rockies on Aug. 15 (0 ER in 1.0 IP) and the Cubs on Sept. 10 (1 ER in 1.1 IP).
- The D-backs were 2-1 in Mantiply’s starts this season.
- Made 32 relief appearances in 2023…2 IL stints and 2 stints @ Reno.
2023 POSTSEASON: Is 2-0 with a 9.00 ERA (3 ER in 3.0 IP) in 4 relief appearances in the 2023 Postseason.
- Earned his first career Postseaon win in his Postseason debut in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card on Oct. 3 (0 ER in 0.2 IP) @ Brewers.
- Picked up his second win of the Postseason on Oct. 11 vs. Dodgers (0 ER in 1.1 IP)… the D-backs secured the sweep against the Dodgers in the NLDS and advanced to the NLCS.
2023 RECAP: Did not allow an earned run in his last 6 games (8.1 IP) with a .172 OPP AVG (5-for-29) with 5 walks and 6 strikeouts.
- In 10 games in September, had a 1.38 ERA (2 ER in 13.0 IP) and .208 OPP AVG (10-for53).
- Limited lefties to a .185 average (12-for-67) with 15 strikeouts and 2 walks.
- Opponents hit .167 (6-for-36) off his curve with a 30.6 whiff pct. and .178 (8-for-45) off his changeup with a 32.5 whiff pct.
VS. PHILLIES: Made 1 relief appearance in 2023 vs. Phillies on June 13 (4 ER in 3.0 IP).
- In 5 regular season career outings against the Phillies, is 0-0 with a 7.36 ERA (7 R-6 ER in 7.1 IP, 7 K).
- Has not allowed a home run in those 5 games (34 BF) and has not allowed a walk in his last 3 appearances (23 BF).
- His 1 walk allowed came on Aug. 29, 2021.
RENO RECAP: In 11 games (1 start) with Triple-A Reno, went 1-0 with a 7.30 ERA (11 R-10 ER in 12.1 IP).
INJURY REPORT: Was placed on the 15-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation from March 30-April 18 and the 15-day injured list with a right hamstring strain from May 12-June 12.
SNAKE BITES: Played at Virginia Tech, where he went 20-16 with a 4.00 ERA and 227 \strikeouts in 64 games (47 starts) over 4 seasons from 2010-13.
- Signed by Tigers as 27th-round selection in First-Year Player Draft on June 12, 2013.
