Diamondbacks Take Commanding 2-0 NLDS Lead Over Dodgers
2023 was a year we were going to learn a lot of the Diamondbacks and their young core of players. After 162 regular season and four postseason games, we've learned that the team not only can compete for a postseason spot, but also win once they're in. After bludgeoning the Dodgers for 11 runs in the first game of the series, Zac Gallen and the revamped bullpen kept their division rivals at bay to make three early runs stand in a 4-2 win.
Arizona now has a commanding 2-0 series lead as the series moves to Chase Field, with Game 3 coming Wednesday night. Teams that won the first two games of a division series on the road have gone on to win the series 29 of 32 times. Despite being in the driver's seat to advance to their first National League Championship Series berth since the 2007 season, the D-backs ace is not ready to declare the series over.
"The job's not finished" said Gallen. "I think the quote Kobe was talking about, what's there to be happy about, really."
The quote that Gallen referred to came from Kobe Bryant, a player he idolized growing up, after the Los Angeles Lakers took a 2-0 lead over the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals. Bryant was asked if he's happy being up 2-0 and famously replied "The job's not finished. Job finished? I don't think so". The Lakers would go on to finish the job in five games.
Knowing that the Dave Roberts would manage this game like it's a Game 7, it was imperative for the D-backs to get an early lead on rookie Bobby Miller. Arizona loaded the bases with no outs on a walk and two singles. Christian Walker smoked a ball 105.6 MPH and was robbed of a potential two-run double when James Outman made a leaping catch at the wall. After a stolen base allowed the D-backs to score their second run by staying out of the double play, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. punctuated the inning with a sharp single to center to give them a 3-0 lead that they never relinquished.
"We talked about making statements early" said D-backs manager Torey Lovullo. "They have continued to maintain their competitive focus through any situation, days off, just doesn't matter. These guys are very hungry, and they feel like they have a lot to prove."
Handed a 3-0 lead, Gallen tonight started the night out strong with three scoreless innings innings. He got clipped for a home run by J.D. Martinez in the 4th on a ball that hit off the top of the wall in right center then out. The biggest at-bat of the night came in the 5th when Freddie Freeman faced Gallen with runners on the corners and two outs. After working a full count, the D-backs ace landed a curveball that Freeman could not pull the trigger on to escape the jam.
"Freddie's Freddie, so it's obviously a tough at-bat" said Gallen. "But the curveball, really, I was just trying to throw at the bottom of the zone I wasn't trying to bury it by any means, just give him something that he had to think about swinging at."
As the Dodgers started to build an inning on him in the 6th, Lovullo came out and pulled his ace for rookie left-hander Andrew Saalfrank. It was a move that on paper might be considered questionable considering the environment , but it ultimately worked out in the D-backs favor as Roberts took the bait and emptied the bench. Los Angeles would only scratch out a run in the inning as Saalfrank and Ryan Thompson recorded the final two outs to minimize the damage.
"I think every manager would have done that. There's your one shot. You're trying to make a push there against Saalfrank, a rookie pitcher."
With the Dodgers being unable to come through in the inning after emptying their bench, that created more favorable matchups for the right hand heavy backend of the D-backs bullpen. Thompson, Ginkel, and Sewald faced the minimum over the final three innings, shutting the door before Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman could have one more chance to make an impact on tonight's game.
After the game, Lovullo stated that third baseman Evan Longoria is OK and that the X-rays came back negative and is considered day-to-day for now. Longoria was removed from the game after being hit by a pitch to lead off the 9th inning. The 38-year-old been a key contributor for the D-backs this postseason and his experience has been an asset for this young club.
The D-backs will play their first postseason game at Chase Field since October 9, 2017 when they were swept by the Dodgers. Arizona will be looking to return the favor Wednesday, with rookie right-hander Brandon Pfaadt taking the mound against Lance Lynn. First pitch will be at 6:07 PM and will be aired on TBS.
