The Arizona Diamondbacks celebrating after defeating the Phillies in Game 7, punching their ticket to the 2023 World Series. Photo by Matt Slocum via AP Photo
The Arizona Diamondbacks were the final team to enter the 2023 Postseason ring. Now, they’re the last of two teams still standing.
In a game the Philadelphia Phillies desperately needed so as to follow up on last year’s World Series run, they failed. The D-backs, with nothing to lose, came into Citizens Bank Park and silenced the Philly faithful. A back-and-forth affair, Red October would officially die in 2023 as Arizona won 4-2, clinching their first World Series berth since 2001.
Right off the bat, it was 1-0 Arizona as the first inning saw them score on two singles and a fielder’s choice. The Phillies answered in the bottom of the second as Alec Bohm hit a solo shot to make it 1-1. Bryson Stott then doubled in the fourth, sending Bohm home and making it a 2-1 ballgame in favor of Philly.
But in the top of the next inning, the D-backs scored two runs to re-take the lead. Snakes star Corbin Carroll hit a two-out single which scored Emmanuel Rivera. He then stole second base which allowed him to score on a Gabriel Moreno single, making it 3-2 Arizona. In the seventh inning, the D-backs tacked on an insurance run with a sacrifice fly from the aforementioned Carroll.
“Watching them prior to this series, I don’t think anything scared that team,” Phillies star Bryce Harper said. “I don’t think they had any doubts in their minds of coming back here and playing in Philadelphia. I don’t think that team is scared of any situation or any spot.”
Nothing scared Arizona because they had virtually nothing to play for. They entered the 2023 season with 125-to-1 odds to make the World Series. They finished with only 84 wins—two more than the New York Yankees, who missed the playoffs—and a minus 15 run differential. Now, they will take the big stage for the first time in 22 years, playing the Texas Rangers in the World Series.
“When we faced teams like Philly, the Dodgers, Milwaukee, who’s going to believe in the Diamondbacks? No one,” said D-backs shortstop Geraldo Perdomo. “We were silent, and we made damage. Be happy and enjoy what you do. That’s all. That was the message.”
Two years ago, both Texas and Arizona had over 100 losses. Now, they will show down in the Fall Classic, with Game 1 of the 2023 World Series beginning on Friday in Arlington.
