The Arizona Diamondbacks pulled off a stunning upset over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 7 of the NLCS on Tuesday night, winning 4-2 at Citizens Bank Park and clinching their first World Series berth since 2001.
Carroll leads the way for Arizona
The hero of the game for the Diamondbacks was outfielder Corbin Carroll, who went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Carroll, who was the 16th overall pick in the 2019 draft, had a breakout season in 2023, hitting .301 with 23 home runs and 82 RBIs. He also led the team with 37 stolen bases.
In Game 7, Carroll delivered in clutch situations, driving in the first run of the game with a single in the third inning, scoring the second run on a sacrifice fly by Ketel Marte in the fifth inning, and adding an insurance run with another RBI single in the seventh inning. He also made a spectacular catch in center field to rob Bryce Harper of a hit in the sixth inning.
Carroll said he was confident that his team could overcome the odds and beat the Phillies, who had the best record in the NL and a potent lineup featuring Harper, Rhys Hoskins, J.T. Realmuto, and Andrew McCutchen.
“We knew we had nothing to lose and everything to gain,” Carroll said. “We just played our game and trusted each other. We didn’t let anyone doubt us or get in our heads. We just had fun and enjoyed the moment.”
Pfaadt and bullpen shut down Phillies
The Diamondbacks also got a stellar performance from their pitching staff, which held the Phillies to just two runs on six hits. Starter Brandon Pfaadt, who was making his postseason debut, struck out seven batters in four innings, allowing only one run on a solo homer by Hoskins in the fourth inning.
The bullpen took over from there, with five relievers combining to pitch five scoreless innings. The most crucial moment came in the eighth inning, when closer Stefan Crichton entered the game with two outs and the bases loaded. He faced Harper, who had hit three home runs in the series, including a grand slam in Game 5. Crichton got Harper to pop out to shortstop Nick Ahmed, ending the threat and preserving the two-run lead.
Crichton said he was not intimidated by facing Harper in such a high-pressure situation.
“I just tried to stay calm and focused,” Crichton said. “I knew I had a good defense behind me and I just wanted to make him put the ball in play. I threw him a slider and he got under it. It was a great feeling to see Nick catch it.”
Crichton then retired the side in order in the ninth inning, striking out McCutchen for the final out. He was mobbed by his teammates on the mound as they celebrated their improbable victory.
Diamondbacks defy expectations
The Diamondbacks were not expected to make much noise in the postseason, as they barely made it as the second wild card team with an 84-78 record. They had to face the Los Angeles Dodgers, who had won eight straight NL West titles, in the wild card game. They stunned the Dodgers with a 6-5 win, thanks to a walk-off single by David Peralta.
They then faced the Phillies, who had won 102 games and had home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Phillies took a 2-0 lead in the series, but the Diamondbacks fought back with two wins at home to tie it up. The Phillies regained control with a 10-4 win in Game 5, but the Diamondbacks forced a Game 7 with a 5-1 win in Game 6.
In Game 7, the Diamondbacks showed their resilience once again, scoring early and holding off the Phillies’ rally. They became only the second team in MLB history to win a best-of-seven series after losing Games 1 and 2 on the road, joining the 1985 Kansas City Royals.
The Diamondbacks will now face the Texas Rangers in the World Series, which starts on Friday at Globe Life Field. The Rangers beat the New York Yankees in six games to win their first AL pennant since 2011.
The Diamondbacks are hoping to repeat their success from their only other World Series appearance in 2001, when they beat the Yankees in seven games on a walk-off hit by Luis Gonzalez.
Manager Torey Lovullo said he was proud of his team for overcoming all the challenges they faced this season and reaching this stage.
“This is an amazing group of guys,” Lovullo said. “They never gave up, they never quit, they never stopped believing. They played with heart and passion and grit. They deserve this moment and I’m so happy for them.”
