D-backs pounce on the Dodgers’ finest again to go up 2-0 in the series
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In Los Angeles, The Diamondbacks came dangerously close to sending the Dodgers on an early winter break on Monday night, two days after driving away the demons of Dodger Stadium that had been following them.
The D-backs once again took control of the game in the first inning and beat the Dodgers, 4-2, to go up 2-0 in the best-of-five National League Division Series.
Given that the Dodgers won 100 games and the NL West while the D-backs won 84 games and almost missed out on being the final NL Wild Card team, it was surely not something the baseball world was anticipating.
D-backs veteran outfielder Tommy Pham said, “Really, I was hoping to leave here with one win. And even better, we have two.
Teams who take a 2-0 lead in every best-of-five postseason series go on to win the series 78 out of 88 times (89%). With the current 2-2-1 format for Division Series, 14 of the 16 teams (88%) that won Games 1 and 2 on the road advanced, including 10 via sweep. The most recent team to suffer a setback in similar situation was the 2015 Rangers, who led Toronto by 2-0 before losing three in a row.
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Following their two-game sweep of the Brewers in the NL Wild Card Series last week in Milwaukee, the D-backs will try to complete the sweep in Game 3 on Wednesday night at Chase Field.
Game 3 is sold out, according to the D-backs’ Monday statement. They are looking forward to receiving support from the home crowd after playing the first four postseason games on the road.
Alek Thomas, an outfielder, declared, “Leaving here with two wins is definitely a fantastic feeling, and returning back home is going to be awesome. It’s going to be great.
The D-backs got things going right away for the second night in a row.
The D-backs jumped on Dodgers rookie starter Bobby Miller for three runs this time after scoring six runs in the first inning of Game 1 toward Clayton Kershaw.
Simply put, things have been going our way, said Pham. “Those are great pitchers.”
Arizona lost its final four games of the season, and the D-backs offense experienced a collective collapse. The team’s youthful manager, Torey Lovullo, stated at the time that he wanted to see more “mature” at-bats from them and that they should stop chasing pitches beyond the strike zone.
The Arizona hitters had been locked in from the beginning, refusing to swing at doubtful pitches, so once the postseason started, something changed with the offense.
The D-backs’ Corbin Carroll remarked, “I think that maybe there have been a couple less pitches over the plate. And we’ve just done a terrific job of not trying to force items to happen by looking outside of ourselves. Just accept what they provide. Particularly during that Milwaukee series, when we understood that the caliber of our at-bats would determine who we saw the following night, among other things. Everyone just seemed to be on board well.
Carroll has commanded the offensive once more. He has now reached base safely 11 times in his first four career postseason games after drawing three walks and a single on Monday. The Rangers’ Evan Carter, who has 12 this postseason, has the most by a rookie in his first four postseason games.
What makes Carroll so good, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, is “the speed component, it’s the bat to ball.” “There is a chance for an infield hit when he places the ball on the ground. And he has control of the area. Even Bobby today, in his first at-bat, threw a few questionable pitches, showing that the occasion isn’t getting too big for him. He is skilled at managing at-bats.
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The D-backs had some carry-on luggage they didn’t have when they came to Los Angeles as they loaded up their buses for the trip to the airport and journey home: the trust that they could defeat the Dodgers in their own ballpark, a place that had tortured Arizona for years.
First baseman for the D-backs Christian Walker remarked, “We don’t want to let this team hang around.” “We want to advance and put a foot on their necks.”
Despite their talent and postseason experience, the Dodgers are a proud group that won’t give up easily.
We’ve previously won three straight games, Roberts noted. “We are well-versed in this ballclub. We need to find a method to change the course of events since they are playing strong baseball.
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