Diamondbacks Sweep NL Wild Card Series, Advance to NL Division Series

In a remarkable turnaround, the Arizona Diamondbacks complete a sweep of the NL Wild Card Series by defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-2.

Two years after a 110-loss season, the Diamondbacks are heading to the NL Division Series for the first time since 2017.

The Arizona Diamondbacks, once enduring a 110-loss season, have accomplished a remarkable feat by sweeping the NL Wild Card Series against the Milwaukee Brewers with a 5-2 victory. This victory secures their spot in the NL Division Series, marking their first appearance since 2017.

The Diamondbacks are now set to face the NL West champion Dodgers in a best-of-five series that kicks off on Saturday in Los Angeles. On the other hand, the Brewers, who clinched the NL Central championship, have faced a challenging stretch in the playoffs, losing nine of their last ten postseason games, starting with their Game 7 home loss to the Dodgers in the 2018 NL Championship Series.

The focus in Milwaukee has now shifted to the future of manager Craig Counsell, who has managed the Brewers since 2015 and guided them to five playoff appearances over the last six seasons. While the Brewers' principal owner, Mark Attanasio, has expressed the team's desire to retain Counsell, the manager has not disclosed his intentions regarding his return.

Diamondbacks relief pitcher, Paul Sewald celebrates after the final out of Game 2 Wildcard series

The Diamondbacks' turnaround has been marked by a strong rookie season by Corbin Carroll, outstanding performances by pitchers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, and a shift in expectations. Gallen, who pitched a solid game to secure the series sweep, expressed the team's newfound confidence, stating, "We expected to be playing in October."

Arizona's resilience was evident in their comeback victories in the last two games of the series, erasing early deficits to secure wins. Their ability to overcome adversity and rally as a team has been a defining characteristic of their success.

This win is a significant moment for the Diamondbacks, who posted a 52-110 record in 2021, tied for the worst in MLB, and improved to 74-88 last season. Manager Torey Lovullo described the moment as "pretty special," highlighting the emotions within the organization and clubhouse.

The Diamondbacks' victory marks another step in their rapid ascent, and they are now looking forward to facing the Dodgers in the NL Division Series, aiming to continue their postseason journey.

SportsLigue