2023 Arizona Diamondbacks

 The Diamondbacks were born in 1998. A year later they won their first division title. Two years after that they won their first World Series. The future seemed bright, but after adding another division title in 2002 they fell off and stopped being competitive. They had a blips on the radar in a 10 year span but never managed to return to the fall classic or get any sustained success.

2023 was another one of those blips on the radar, but this time with expanded playoffs they were able to get good milage in October. The Torey Lovullo led D-Backs weren't exactly the favorites to win the pennant, but they shocked many by making a run anyway. Their 84-78 record wasn't enough to catch the first place Dodgers in the NL West as they fell short by 16 games. If this was the era of only 1 Wild Card team, the Diamondbacks season would be over, but in 2023 there were 3 spots that the D-Backs were able to grasp for, edging out the Chicago Cubs for the last playoff spot by just 1 game.

First up for Arizona was a trip to Milwaukee to face the NL Central champion Brewers in the Wild Card Series. After sweeping them out 2-0, the Diamondbacks had a showdown with the Dodgers in the NLDS. That 16 game lead over Arizona in the regular season didn't do a thing to help LA in the playoffs as the Diamondbacks kept their winning streak going by sweeping this set 3-0. Standing in the way for the pennant was now only the defending NL champion Philadelphia Phillies.

The Phillies easily took the first couple games at home, putting the D-Backs against the wall as the series shifted to the desert. There the D-Backs earned the "Answerbacks" nickname they were given that season by tying things up with a couple close wins, then after the Phillies took Game 5, they tied things up again in Game 6. In Game 7 the D-Backs took a quick lead, but found themselves behind 2-1 going into the 5th inning where Corbin Carroll and Gabriel Moreno knocked in runs and gave the lead to Arizona for good. Paul Sewald worked an easy 9th inning to seal the deal for Arizona's 2nd pennant and send them back to the World Series.

The Diamondbacks met the Texas Rangers in the World Series. After splitting the first 2 games, the series shifted to Arizona where the Rangers took charge and won the series 4-1.

Ketel Marte was one of Arizona's more reliable hitters in the season, and he kept that consistency up in the playoffs. His walk-off single in Game 3 of the NLCS triggered the teams comeback and his hitting garnered him the NLCS MVP when the Diamondbacks were triumphant after Game 7.

Catcher Gabriel Moreno had that kind of defensive rating of +11 that makes you overlook offensive issues, but an 8 on-base B speed Catcher only adds to his value. He took home the 2023 Gold Glove award.

2 of the 3 team all stars. Speaking of great defense, Perdomo has a better-than-perfect +4 eligibility at 3rd Base.

Christian Walker was the teams top power star. His 33 Home Runs and 103 RBI led the team. And his +1 rating at 1st Base is just icing on the cake.

The other regulars. Not a huge fan of Thomas's 6 on-base but I'm digging his chart.

The bench, featuring more perfect and even a better-than-perfect defensive guys.

Zac Gallen was the pitching ace of this pennant winner. His 17 Wins and 220 Strikeouts led the team and he also was the man behind the teams only Shutout that year.

Other rotation members. Merril Kelly had the rotation best 3.29 ERA.

The Diamondbacks saved 44 games collectively, the most being 13 from Sewald as well as being the Closer in the postseason.

Main Relief Pitchers and other guys called in and out during the season.

Corbin Carroll exploded out in his rookie campaign. He led the league with 10 Triples, led Arizona with 54 Stolen Bases, made the all star team, got some MVP votes and took home the Rookie of the Year award.