Catcher Travis d'Arnaud Moves Up Playoff Leaderboards With Massive Home Run in NLDS

Atlanta Braves veteran Travis d'Arnaud came through with a clutch home run in Game 2 of the NLDS, putting him on a list alongside some legendary catchers.

Zack Wheeler was absolutely dealing, until Travis d'Arnaud stepped up to the plate and made history.

The Atlanta Braves catcher chased the Philadelphia Phillies ace off the mound in the seventh inning of Game 2 of the NLDS on Monday night, belting a two-run home run that trimmed the lead to 4-3. Wheeler had only allowed three hits to that point, all while striking out 10.

D'Arnaud got the best of Wheeler's sweeper, though, crushing it 414 feet to left thanks to a 110.8 mile-per-hour exit velocity and 21-degree launch angle.

The 34-year-old veteran has now hit 10 home runs in his postseason career, including his stints with the New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays. According to MLB.com's Sarah Langs, d'Arnaud is now tied for the third-most home runs as a catcher in playoff history.

New York Yankees legend Jorge Posada and Boston Red Sox fan-favorite Jason Varitek are tied for the most with 11 apiece. Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer Johnny Bench and longtime Braves slugger Javy López are tied for third alongside d'Arnaud with 10.

most HR as catcher, postseason history:

Jorge Posada: 11
Jason Varitek: 11
Travis d'Arnaud: 10
Johnny Bench: 10
Javy Lopez: 10 https://t.co/r7cOVYbvP7

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 10, 2023

D'Arnaud has 108 home runs in his regular season career. He hit 11 in 2023 while splitting time with All-Star Sean Murphy behind the dish.

The clutch homer gave the Braves life when they were on the verge of going down 2-0 in the NLDS. Atlanta rode d'Arnaud's bomb to another in the eighth, as third baseman Austin Riley delivered a two-run shot of his own to give his team a late 5-4 lead.

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