The Arizona Diamondbacks stunningly defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4, and have positioned themselves for a stunning National League Championship Series upset.
The Philadelphia Phillies are the more talented team with a significantly higher payroll and playoff pedigree. But two swings of the bat from two prominent rookies, a two-run home run from Alek Thomas and a game-winning single by Gabriel Moreno in the 8th inning to cap off a 6-5 victory, has tied the National League Championship Series at 2-2.
For two consecutive days, Diamondbacks players have cautioned not to count them out. Their backs, they've said, have been against the wall all season. This is familiar territory for them. They were underdogs against the Milwaukee Brewers in the wild card series and swept them. They were underdogs against the Los Angeles Dodgers and swept them. They were significant underdogs after trailing 2-0 to the Phillies in the NLCS.
Their Game 3 win, Zac Gallen said, proved to them that they could hang with the Phillies. Now, their Game 4 win made a stunning upset increasingly possible.
"I'm tired of the narrative that we're lucky to be here," Lovullo said. "I want everybody to know that we don't feel like it, and hopefully they're starting to change their mind as well."
What makes the Diamondbacks so dangerous is that they've proven they can win in so many different ways. They can win with their frontline starters, Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, who are now guaranteed to pitch in Games 5 and 6. They have an emerging rookie right-hander in Brandon Pfaadt. Their offense, headlined by Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte, has Moreno, Thomas and other players capable of changing the game with one swing of the bat.
The strongest proof of that came with Thomas' two-run, pinch-hit home run off future Hall of Fame closer Craig Kimbrel. But one rival executive, immediately upon completion of the game, made sure to note that the Diamondbacks have tied the series despite Carroll, Christian Walker and Tommy Pham hitting a combined 3-for-40.
"I can't really describe how I feel because I haven't had a chance to interpret what just happened," Lovullo told reporters. "It happened so quickly, and it was just a group of players banding together and getting the job done."
BIggest question facing Phillies entering Game 5
The status of right-handed reliever Craig Kimbrel is easily the most pressing question facing the Philadelphia Phillies right now. The future Hall of Fame reliever has looked vulnerable all postseason, and has imploded against the Diamondbacks, and has single-handedly cost the Phillies both games in Arizona.
"Just strike-throwing ability and being able to command his pitches," manager Rob Thomson said when asked about Kimbrel's struggles.
Said Kimbrel: "I wouldn't say the location wasn't terrible. He just put a good swing on it."
After the game, Kimbrel and other players expressed confidence that he would bounce back. After all, the Phillies will need him to. Their bullpen has been heavily taxed through four games, especially the high-leverage relievers, and they are unsure who will be available for Game 5. One option that Thomson did not rule out was having Ranger Suarez being available to pitch out of the bullpen.
Which makes it crucial for star right-hander Zack Wheeler to pitch deep into Game 5 for the Phillies. This is why the team signed him to a five-year, $118 million contract. For moments like these. He has delivered in these situations throughout his tenure in Philadelphia and they'll need him to do so once again.
Their season would seemingly depend on it.