Fall Classic Rewind

2023 World Series Game 3 and 4 @ Chase Field

Rangers (90-72) @ Diamondbacks (84-78) Series Tied 1-1

We head to Phoenix with the series tied at a game apiece. The Texas Rangers have yet to drop a game on the road this postseason, and they will be sending Max Scherzer to the hill to start game 3. Mad Max has not been his dominant self due to a late season injury, but manager Bruce Bochy will likely only need a few innings from the righty with his top relievers rested and raring to go. For the Diamondbacks, breakout rookie Brandon Pfaadt looks to build off of his impressive outings against the Dodgers and the Phillies, both tough lineups to navigate. He’ll need to be on his game to keep these Texas bats quiet, especially with Corey Seager locked in. If the Rangers want to keep their road winning streak alive, they are going to need a lot more out of Marcus Semien, who is hitting below .200 this postseason entering game three, despite leading the AL in hits and runs in the regular season. For Arizona, their offense usually goes how stars Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte have gone, but as of late it’s been the veteran Tommy Pham who’s been red hot. As we look ahead to game four, it will likely be a bullpen game with lefties Andrew Heaney and Joe Mantiply opening things. How effective they and the other relievers will pitch remains to be seen. Taking games three and four will put a team just one win away from a World Series trophy, but split and we are guaranteed to head back to Arlington.

Audio clips from MLB.tv

TEX Radio 105.3 KRLD - Eric Nadel, Matt Hicks, and Jared Sandler

ARI Radio 98.7 - Greg Schulte, Tom Candiotti, Chris Garagiola

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

2023 World Series Games 1 and 2 @ Globe Life Field

Diamondbacks (84-78) @ Rangers (90-72)

A dozen teams entered the postseason, and now only two remain. The Fall Classic gets underway down in Arlington, Texas, with the Rangers back in the series for the first time since 2011 and the Diamondbacks returning for their second ever appearance. Just two years ago, both of these teams lost over 100 games, and just last year, Texas lost 94 and Arizona lost 88. These teams have taken different pathways to return to relevancy. the Rangers invested heavily in free agency, shook up the front office, and hired a future Hall-of-Famer as manager. With a brand new ballpark that opened in the covid-shortened 2020 season, Texas ownership expressed a sense of urgency to its new architects. The Diamondbacks retained their coach and GM despite a brutal and disappointing stretch, because they knew the future was still bright. Arizona GM Mike Hazen (a Princeton grad like new Texas GM Chris Young) had strong track record with drafting and developing players, which he supplemented with shrewd deals during the offseason and at the trade deadline. Torey Lovullo, in his seventh year at the helm, led the DBacks to the playoffs in his first season, and he now has an NL Pennant under his belt. His calm and steady demeanor has been attributed to keeping this young team focused despite some bumps along the way. Few experts or prognosticators would have picked this matchup at the beginning of the year, or even at the start of these playoffs, but for us avid baseball fans, this should make quite a compelling series.

Game one will be a battle of right-handed All Stars. Texan Nathan Eovaldi looks to continue his excellent postseason (4-0 2.42 ERA 26 IP 4 GS) and cement a legacy of playoff dominance. Zac Gallen gets the ball for the Snakes, though his second half struggles have rolled over to the postseason (2-2 5.27 ERA 22.1 IP 4 GS). In game two, the Rangers will call upon lefty Jordan Montgomery, who’s been nothing short of outstanding these playoffs (3-0 2.16 ERA 25 IP 4 GS 1 GR). Opposing him will be Merrill Kelly, a solid veteran (2-1 2.65 ERA 17 IP 3 GS) amidst an excellent two-year stretch (25-16 3.33 ERA 378 IP 63 GS). For the offenses, Corey Seager and Adolis García (ALCS MVP) have provided a ton of thump for the Rangers, while it’s been the trio of Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte (NLCS MVP), and Gabriel Moreno getting things going for the Snakes. Texas desperately wants to maintain home field advantage in the best of seven, but Arizona will be happy with a split before things head to Phoenix.

Audio clips from MLB.tv

TEX Radio 105.3 KRLD - Eric Nadel and Matt Hicks

ARI Radio 98.7 - Greg Schulte, Tom Candiotti, and Chris Garagiola

FOX Broadcast - Joe Davis, John Smoltz, Ken Rosenthal, and Tom Verducci

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

2023 NLCS - Games 6 and 7 @ Citizens Bank Park

Diamondbacks (84-78) @ Phillies (90-72) - PHI leads 3-2

The Snakes stayed alive by winning two out of three in Phoenix, but they will face an uphill battle heading back to Philadelphia. Rob Thomson’s Phillies are just a win away from a return to the World Series, and they have been absolutely dominant at home. Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper continue to mash in this championship series, but Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos have been quieted after electric performances against Atlanta. The bullpen (mainly Craig Kimbrel) was shaky in Arizona, blowing leads in games three and four. On the other side, Ketel Marte has been blazing hot, Alek Thomas and Gabriel Moreno have been clutch, and the back of the bullpen (Sewald and Ginkel) have been lights-out. However, star rookie Corbin Carroll has been uncharacteristically absent from the fun. If the Dbacks hope to take this series on the road, they will need him to turn it around and wreak havoc on the bases. After all, ‘Embrace the Chaos’ is the motto for Torey Lovullo’s scrappy bunch.

For the pitching matchups, Aaron Nola and Merrill Kelly face off once again for game six, with Ranger Suárez and Brandon Pfaadt in line for a game seven. Nola was excellent in game two, while Kelly struggled to keep the ball within the cozy confines of Citizens Bank Park. Suárez and Pfaadt both hurled scoreless outings into the sixth inning of game three, but the pressures of a winner-take-all game could make or break these young arms. Will the Phillies secure a second straight NL Pennant, or will the Diamondbacks claim just their second ever trip to the Fall Classic?

Audio clips from MLB.tv

PHI Radio WIP - Scott Franzke, Larry Andersen, Tom McCarthy, and Kevin Stocker

ARI Radio 98.7 - Greg Schulte, Tom Candiotti, Chris Garagiola

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

2023 ALCS - Games 6 and 7 @ Minute Maid Park

Rangers (90-72) @ Astros (90-72) - Houston leads 3-2

With a dramatic comeback victory in game five, the Houston Astros are just a win away from heading back to the World Series for the fifth time in the last seven years. With a game to give and home field advantage, surely Dusty Baker’s squad is ready to seal the deal? The problem: the ‘Stros are much better on the road than at home, and Rangers manager Bruce Bochy is no stranger to elimination games on the road. If Texas can pull off a victory in game six behind ‘Big Game’ Nate Eovaldi, then all bets are off for game seven. And keep in mind, Bruce Bochy has never lost a game seven, and Dusty Baker has never won one. A lot of eyes will be trained on Adolis García, the Cuban slugger for Texas, who looks to respond with the bat after getting plunked and subsequently ejected in game five. The battle for Texas concludes in Houston with Framer Valdez vs. Nathan Eovaldi in game six, and if necessary, Christian Javier vs. Max Scherzer in game seven. 

Audio clips from MLB.tv

TEX Radio 105.3 KRLD - Eric Nadel and Matt Hicks

HOU Radio 790 KBME - Robert Ford and Steve Sparks

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

2023 NLCS - Game 3 - 5 @ Chase Field

Phillies (90-72) @ Diamondbacks (84-78)

The battle for the NL Pennant heads out to the desert, with the Phillies ahead in the series two games to none after convincing victories in Philadelphia. Everything worked just as Rob Thomson planned: the big bats provided power, the defense was flawless, the aces dominated, and the bullpen was solid. But can they bring that show on the road? For Arizona manager Torey Lovullo, there was little to take solace in after the first two games of this series, but don’t count out these Snakes. Although their pitching staff is inexperienced, don’t be surprised from a good outing from rookie Brandon Pfaadt, who was excellent against LA in the NLDS. He’ll have quite the task in tamping down this Philly offense, but he’s got impressive stuff on the mound. Opposing him in game three will be Ranger Suárez, who has been quietly establishing himself as a legit playoff weapon these past two seasons. In game four, it will likely be bullpen games for both teams, which isn’t ideal for either of these teams. But after that (if necessary) will be a rematch of the aces, Zac Gallen and Zack Wheeler. Expect both managers to extend their horses to their respective limits in that pivotal game. The Snakes need to win at least two out of these three home games if they are to stay alive in the series, but even if they can pull that off, they’ll have to return to the Bank.

Audio clips from MLB.tv

PHI Radio WIP - Scott Franzke, Larry Andersen, Tom McCarthy, and Kevin Stocker

ARI Radio 98.7 - Greg Schulte, Tom Candiotti, and Chris Garagiola

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

2023 ALCS - Games 3, 4, and 5 @ Globe Life Field

Astros (90-72) @ Rangers (90-72) - TEX leads 2-0

The Rangers went into Houston, dominated, and now they head back to Arlington up two games to none in this series. Montgomery and Eovaldi were outstanding, the bats came through in big moments, and the bullpen held on to shut the door. In all facets of the game they have outplayed their rival Astros, but don’t assume that will continue with the change in venue. Heading into this series, the Astros were 6-1 this year at Globe Life Field, including the last five in a row. Houston’s big bats have clobbered the Texas pitching staff in Arlington. All year Dusty Baker’s guys have been road warriors, boasting a 51-30 record away from Minute Maid Park. They will need to continue that trend to stay alive in this series.

Mad Max Scherzer returns from a triceps injury to start game 3 for the Rangers, with Christian Javier opposing him for Houston. It’s been nearly a month since the future Hall-of-Famer has pitched competitively, so how much will Bruce Bochy get out of him? As for Javier, he’s been nearly untouchable in the playoffs for his career. In game 4, Andrew Heaney and José Urquidy will start, but expect their managers to have very short leashes. If the Astros extend the series, game 5 will be a rematch of game 1, with Montgomery and Verlander facing off once again. With the AL Pennant on the line, these two instate rivals will deliver some of the best on-field drama of recent postseason memory.

Audio clips from MLB.tv

TEX Radio 105.3 KRLD - Eric Nadel and Matt Hicks

HOU Radio 790 KBME - Robert Ford and Steve Sparks

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

2023 Division Series

NLDS Diamondbacks (84-78) vs. Dodgers (100-62)

Game 1 - ARI RHP Kelly vs. LAD LHP Kershaw @ Dodger Stadium

Game 2 - ARI RHP Gallen vs. LAD RHP Miller @ Dodger Stadium

Game 3 - LAD RHP Lynn vs. ARI RHP Pfaadt @ Chase Field

The Dodgers are back in the postseason for the 11th straight season, winning the NL West for the 10th time in that span. They’ve put together yet another 100+ win campaign for the 4th consecutive full season(they were on an historic pace in the COVID-shortened 2020 season or it could have been 5 in a row). This organization has been a machine built not only on star power, but also on unrivaled depth. They rely on multi-positional defenders, platoon lineups, and a stable of relievers with incredible stuff. Of course, they are led by two perennial MVP candidates in Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, not to mention a star catcher in Will Smith. But these Dodgers likely would not have won the West without revivals from J.D. Martinez, Jason Heyward, and Max Muncy. This Los Angeles squad does have one major flaw, however. The starting pitchers are either hurt, old, ineffective, or inexperienced. The future Hall-of-Famer Clayton Kershaw will get the call in game one, but shoulder problems have drastically limited his innings and severely diminished his stuff. Walker Buehler, Dustin May, and Tony Gonsolin are all out with elbow injuries. Trade deadline acquisition Lance Lynn gave up a league leading 44 home runs, and Bobby Miller, the best and most consistent of the options, has never pitched in the postseason. So, for often maligned manager Dave Roberts, how much he will get out of his starters is quite frankly a mystery. Despite all the regular season success of the past decade, every year save one has ended in bitter disappointment in the City of Angels. Will this year be different, or will the Dodgers fall yet again to an underdog.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have gotten hot at the right time, rallying for two comeback wins against the NL Central champ Brewers in the Wild Card round. And now they have to go up against their division rival, who have had the Snakes number over the past few seasons. Working in their favor, however, is how they can lineup their pitching. Their top two starters, Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen, will be able to start 4 out of 5 games if necessary on regular rest. The only problem, Kelly has never beaten LA in his career (0-11 5.49 ERA 16 GS), and Gallen has not fared much better (0-4 4.29 ERA 6 GS @ LAD). The Arizona offense can run hot and cold, but as they demonstrated against the highly touted Brewers, the Snakes can strike quickly and in bunches. Look for the dynamic duo of Carroll and Marte to set the table, while Walker, Moreno, and Gurriel aim to drive them in. Torey Lovullo has this team primed and ready to keep shocking the world.

Audio clips from MLB.tv

TBS - Bob Costas and Ron Darling

ARI Radio 98.7 - Greg Schulte, Tom Candiotti, and Chris Garagiola

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.