The first day of more than two games in a little while, and two of them saw LDS series end …
Diamondbacks 4, Dodgers 2 – Arizona Wins Series 3-0
A sweep for the Diamondbacks, against a Dodgers team that finished 16 games ahead of them in the regular season. Such are the playoffs sometimes, especially when one team’s pitching has fallen apart in the second half.
That left the Dodgers relying on midseason acquisition Lance Lynn to save their season, and just as he has all year, he was eager to give up some dingers. What did him and the Dodgers in was FOUR solo homers in the 3rd inning:
Count 'em!
The @Dbacks are the first team in MLB history to hit FOUR homers in a single #Postseason inning! pic.twitter.com/gW89bANgtu— MLB (@MLB) October 12, 2023
Fore! 🏌️♂️ pic.twitter.com/FSPH0XZOqy
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) October 12, 2023
What was particularly crazy is that the would-be fourth homer, by Gabriel Moreno, was overturned as foul on a replay review. So what did he do? Hit another one out on the very next pitch.
The full highlights:
The Diamondbacks move on to the NLCS, which starts on Monday, October 16.
Astros 3, Twins 2 – Houston Wins Series 3-1
The Astros are going to the ALCS for an incredible 7th straight season.
After a dreadful regular season in his debut with the Astros, Jose Abreu hit his third homer of the postseason, and it was the difference in this one. And man that is a dominating Astros bullpen. Gonna be a heckuva match-up with the Rangers.
The full highlights:
The ALCS – an all-Texas affair – begins on Sunday, October 15.
Phillies 10, Braves 2 – Philadelphia Leads Series 2-1
The last remaining LDS series still open, the Braves-Phillies showdown already had the intradivisional rivalry storyline going on. It’s been quite fun.
So to have the Orlando Arcia-Bryce Harper drama toss on top? That’s EXTREMELY fun.
Don’t make Bryce Harper angry, guys. He will wreck you.
The full highlights:
Game Four is Thursday at 7pm CT in Philly. Spencer Strider will try to even the series, and the Phillies will likely go with a bullpen-ish day kicked off by Ranger Suarez.
