Arizona Football Daily with Mike Jurecki, Tim Ring & Steve Keim

It did not take long for the Phillies to power up against Zac Gallen and the Dbacks in Game One of the NLCS Monday night in Philadelphia. Kyle Schwarber parked Gallen's first pitch of the game into the right field bleachers and the Phillies never looked back. The Dbacks stayed within striking distance until the very end but fall 5-3 to fall down 0-1 in the series. Also today, the Cardinals have the day off. It's Seahawks week -- and the fan base not-so-patiently waits for word on Kyler Murray is going to return to the practice field. 

The Cardinals offense had opportunities in the first half while the defense kept Matthew Stafford and the vaunted Rams passing offense in check -- but would be touchdown drives turned to field goal drives and a 9-6 halftime lead quickly evaporated under the weight of a power-packed Rams second half rushing attack. Josh Dobbs continues to battle but the obstacles of trying to win in the NFL with a back-up quarterback continue to be a major issue for this Cardinals offense which went to battle Sunday without leader James Conner. What's next now for this coaching staff and what's the deal with Kyler Murray?

The Cardinals hit the road Sunday in LA and they'll do so extremely shorthanded on both sides of the ball. Can the Cardinals pull off the upset? It'll take a strong effort from the defense as the Rams boast one of the league's best passing offenses led by Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and rookie sensation Puka Nacua. Also today, the Dbacks now know their opponent in the NLCS - it'll be the power hitting Philadelphia Phillies and their undeniable home field advantage. Game one is just three days away as the Dbacks are just four wins away from the World Series. 

The Dbacks domination of the Dodgers continued Wednesday night at Chase Field as Arizona completes a three game sweep and sends the Dodgers home to LA in embarrassing fashion. The Dbacks offense put up some historic numbers during the course of the series as Arizona advances to the NLCS for the first time since 2007. Now the question is - can the Dbacks win the pennant and find themselves back in the World Series for the first time since since 2001. Also today, The Athletic drops another article on Mike Bidwill and the wayward culture in the Arizona Cardinals organization.

Playoff baseball returns to Chase Field Wednesday night for the first time since 2017 as the Dbacks look to sweep the Dodgers and advance to the NLCS. A sellout crowd is expected as the Dbacks try and continue their Cinderella run through the postseason and advance to the NLCS for the first time since 2007. Also today, Tim examines the ongoing curiosity surrounding legendary broadcaster Bob Costas's seemingly disenchantment with the Diamondbacks and their success in the series first two games. Football talk today as well as the Cardinals open up practice week for the Rams without tailback James Conner who was placed on IR Tuesday. 

An absolute shocker to almost everyone perhaps outside of the Arizona Diamondbacks clubhouse - but the Dbacks go into LA and take games one and two in the NLDS in near dominating fashion. Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen, who entered the series a combined 1-15 lifetime against the Dodgers, pick up the wins on the mound while the Dbacks offense hits the Dodgers early and often in both games. Plus, looking at the Cardinals running back situation now in the wake of the loss of tailback James Conner. 

The Bears beat up the Commanders on TNF - what does this mean for the rest of the NFL in terms of race to the bottom of the league and coveted #1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft? Plus, the Cardinals brace for the Bengals and a game that Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow is already calling a, "must win". ASU plays host to Deion Sanders and Colorado in Tempe in another sold out Mountain America Stadium while the Dbacks open the NLDS Saturday against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. 

Long-time Dbacks game host Mike Bauer joins Tim today to revisit the Dbacks thrilling Game One Wildcard win Tuesday night in Milwaukee. A long list of heroes for Arizona as they now look to Zac Gallen to clinch the series Wednesday in Game Two. Also today, Kenny Dillingham squared off against Deion Sanders this weekend in a battle of two programs that, at least this season, appear to be moving at very different speeds in their respective rebuilds. 

Recapping Suns Media Day Monday and a look back at the Cardinals 35-16 loss to the 49ers at Levi's Stadium. 

John Gambadoro at 98.7 primed the pump last week and Suns fans should have listened. The Suns were prepared to trade Deandre Ayton to Portland for Jusuf Nurkic once the Blazers found a new home for Damian Lillard. Wednesday, the day finally came and Ayton is no longer a Phoenix Sun. The Suns acquire four players in the three-way deal including Nurkic. Suns fans are rushing to social media to question the deal. Did the Suns get better today? Nobody knows but we're all about to find out.