PHOENIX — How about those Answerbacks? At the time of this writing, the Dbacks are just one victory away from reaching the World Series for the first time since 2001.
As we eagerly await the results of Game 7 of the NLCS, we here at 12Sports wanted to relive the top 10 Diamondback's playoff moments which led the team to the cusp of a World Series appearance.
MOMENT #10: Diamondbacks pitching shuts down Dodgers 1-2 punch
The Los Angeles Dodgers had no explanation for what happened in the NLDS. The catalysts of an offense that scored an average of 5.6 runs per game, Betts and Freeman didn’t hit.
In fact, the Diamondbacks held the duo to 1-21 at the plate marking the first time Mookie Betts was held hitless in his postseason career. These men had two of the greatest offensive seasons in Dodgers history in the same season, yet it was the Dbacks pitching who shut them down.
MOMENT #9: Evan Longoria, the magician!
The 'old man' has still got it! No one can forget when the third baseman made an unbelievable catch and pulled off the double play to end a crucial 5th inning with the bases loaded! We're sure glad he's on our side.
MOMENT #8: The Answerbacks COME ALIVE in the Wild Card Series
Facing a 3-0 deficit in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Brewers, the Dbacks' bats came alive in an instant! Back-to-back home runs from Corbin Carroll, traveling 444 feet, followed by Ketel Marte with a solo shot of his own to tie the game at 3. The rest is history as the Answerbacks continued to prove their nickname is no fluke.
MOMENT #7: Dbacks silence the Philly crowd
Well, that escalated rather quickly! During Game 6 of the NLCS in what was a must-win situation, the Dbacks answered the call. First Tommy Pham hit a solo shot to take the 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning, followed up by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. with a home run of his own for the 2-0 lead. The Philly crowd was stunned, the Dbacks poured in more runs and forced a Game 7 in large part due to these two at-bats.
MOMENT #6: It's a pool party!
Ten years after the Dodgers partied in the same pool, the Dbacks got some celebratory revenge after sweeping LA! Not long after the final out of Game 3 was recorded, the D-backs celebrated the way every team should celebrate a big win at Chase Field: they jumped in the pool.
MOMENT # 5: Alek Thomas hits the homer of his life to complete the comeback
Alek Thomas went from being pulled out of the lineup for two straight games, to delivering one of the biggest home runs of the postseason for the Diamondbacks!
The outfielder etched his name in franchise lore with a game-tying, two-run homer that helped guide the D-backs to a 6-5 win over the Phillies in Game 4 of the NLCS at Chase Field.
MOMENT #4: The rook puts on a dazzling display
Rookie Brandon Pfaadt continues to impress in the postseason. He started Game 3 at Chase Field by striking out six Phillies through three innings and got through an outstanding scoreless 5.2 innings, giving up two hits on no walks while striking out nine.
This kid is the real deal.
MOMENT #3: Ketel walks it off!
The hottest hitter of the postseason steps up again! In the bottom of the 9th, Ketel Marte came up clutch when his team needed him the most.
Facing closer Craig Kimbrel with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th in a tied game, he struck a high fastball to hit a line drive that dropped in center field to score Pavin Smith from third.
What. A. Moment.
MOMENT #2: Diamondbacks stun baseball world, rocking Clayton Kershaw
The NLDS couldn't have started any better for the Dbacks and any worse for the Dodgers and ace Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw looked like a shell of himself giving up six runs allowed, one out recorded and quite possibly the worst postseason start in baseball history.
Do you believe in this Dbacks team, now?
MOMENT #1: Home run BARRAGE!!
IS THIS REAL?? The thoughts that (probably) ran through every fan's mind inside Chase Field during the third inning of Game 3 of the NLDS.
The D-backs made postseason history with 4 home runs in 1 inning off Lance Lynn, becoming the first team to ever achieve the feat. Enjoy the video below.
