Arizona Diamondbacks Tommy Pham (28) reacts after hitting a single against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning during Game 2 of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium. Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Diamondbacks nearing first NLCS berth since 2007

By Nicholas Nathanson | Last updated 10/10/23

The Arizona Diamondbacks are one game away from making the NLCS.

This is not a typo.

Yes, those same Arizona Diamondbacks that are two years removed from an MLB-worst 52-110 record in 2021. Those same Arizona Diamondbacks who have not won their division since 2011. Those same Diamondbacks who didn't even clinch a wild-card spot until Game 161 of the regular season.

After Monday night's 4-2 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLDS, those same Diamondbacks stand just one game away from making their first National League Championship Series appearance (NLCS) in nearly 16 years.

So, how did they get here?

In Game 1 of the NLDS, the Diamondbacks came out guns blazing, scoring six runs off of Clayton Kershaw in the first inning, who was pulled from the game after recording just one out.

Clayton Kershaw's night is finished pic.twitter.com/XyRzGHjQJP
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 8, 2023

Strong pitching from Arizona ensued and an offensive domination led the Diamondbacks to an 11-2 drubbing of the Dodgers.

Monday night, the Diamondbacks got off to another strong start in the first inning, scoring three runs. While the Dodgers would nab two runs off of Diamondbacks Cy Young candidate Zac Gallen, the bullpen came up huge, pitching 3 2/3 shutout innings, allowing just one hit.

5th inning: Dodgers left runners on first and third.
6th inning: Dodgers left the bases loaded.
7th inning: Dodgers grounded into a double play to take away the tying run on first.
8th inning: Dodgers grounded into a double play to end the inning.

They're 1-for-6 with RISP.
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) October 10, 2023

Through the first two games, the Dodgers' top two players, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman have gone a combined 1-for-13 at the plate. While its pitching has been abysmal as well, if the Dodgers have any hopes of turning this series around, it lies on the bats of Freeman and Betts.

Mookie Betts (0-7) and Freddie Freeman (1-6) are combined 1-13 in the first two games.

LA starters have pitched combined 2IP and allowed 9 ER.#Dodgers are down 0-2 in series.
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) October 10, 2023

Up 2-0 now, the Diamondbacks will head back to Arizona looking to advance to the NLCS for the first time since 2007.

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