The Snake Pit
Paul Sewald of the Arizona Diamondbacks (Getty Images)
In the championship round of the playoffs, Arizona easily had the worst offensive production. While the other three teams hit double digit home runs, Arizona hit only five home runs in seven games. They also struck out the most and walked the least. Their starting pitching wasn’t great (4.45 ERA), but the back end of the bullpen was. Side armer Ryan Thompson, Kevin Ginkel, and new closer Paul Sewald combined for 15 innings of work in the NLCS and only gave up one run for a collective 0.60 ERA. As GM Mike Hazen pointed out in the postgame Fox interview, this is why they are going to the World Series. The DBacks were inferior in most ways to Philly, but their horses in the stable were stallions and they showed up in the biggest moments.
2023 Championship Series Batting Stats (Fangraphs)
The Snakes bullpen was mediocre this regular season, finishing 18th in the MLB and 9th in the National League with a 4.22 ERA. Kevin Ginkel had a breakout season this year, going 9-1 with a 2.48 ERA. Most of his bullpen buddies did not have career years however, and some really struggled. Arizona traded Andrew Chafin at the deadline, while acquiring Ryan Thompson and Paul Sewald. Thompson was great down the stretch with a 0.69 in 13 appearances, and has carried this success to the Postseason as well. Paul Sewald struggled a bit down the stretch, but seems to have regained his All Star form this month with zero earned runs in 8 playoff innings. The DBacks were smart to shorten their bullpen, with guys like Miguel Castro and Luis Frias taking much of the middle inning work. Unfortunately, the two lefties, Saaulfrank and Mantiply, have struggled in the last few weeks, as both have had a few rough appearances in the Postseason. The rest of the bullpen, Kyle and Ryne Nelson, as well as Slade Cecconi, has been used sparingly and usually not in high leverage matchups. Given the way the bullpen is being used and how they are throwing, this is their main advantage over Texas.
DBacks 2023 Postseason Reliever Stats (Fangraphs)
The Texas Rangers have a star studded offense. The Dbacks pitching staff has their work cut out for them. The key here is whether Arizona gets the chance to protect a few leads late in the game or if they are playing from behind early. Zac Gallen doesn’t have his best stuff right now, but Pfaadt and Kelly are pitching pretty well. This Texas bullpen is shaky (5.45 xFIP this Postseason), so there could be some fireworks and late night rallies throughout the series. It should be a great World Series, watch out for these lights out relievers on the Snakes!
*Stats are as of 10/26/2023