PHILADELPHIA -- For most of the D-backs' 26-year existence, the franchise's one indelible image, the portrait that time has never come close to erasing, is that of Luis Gonzalez's bloop hit to beat Mariano Rivera and the Yankees in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series. Other memorable seasons have

This story was excerpted from Todd Zolecki's Phillies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

PHILADELPHIA -- Citizens Bank Park was ready to erupt. With every pitcher the D-backs trotted out to the mound, the sold-out crowd cheered, hopeful this would be the pitching change that would wake up the Phillies’ bats and send them into a frenzy. The D-backs’ bullpen, however, had other plans.

PHILADELPHIA -- Bryce Harper shook his head again. He could not believe it. He could not believe what happened to the Phillies on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park. He hurt, but everybody in their clubhouse hurt following a stunning 4-2 loss to Arizona in Game 7 of the National

PHILADELPHIA -- Manager Torey Lovullo flashes back to last year, in the Minor Leagues, as the moment when he first began to understand Brandon Pfaadt’s capabilities. Despite the fact that the D-backs had only recently promoted Pfaadt to Triple-A Reno, the staff there tapped him to start the Pacific Coast

PHILADELPHIA -- Ketel Marte capped his record-setting night on Tuesday by not only helping the D-backs punch their ticket to the World Series, but by earning the 2023 National League Championship Series MVP Award in the process. Just when Marte’s bid for history seemed to be on the ropes, he

PHILADELPHIA -- When the Phillies' bats were hot this season, a World Series run almost seemed inevitable. But when they were cold, just qualifying for the postseason seemed like a battle. True to form, the Phils spent time at both ends of that vast spectrum in their National League Championship

PHILADELPHIA -- Once Brady and Brett Pfaadt learned their brother, Brandon, would start Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, they knew they had to drive from their homes in Louisville, Ky., to be there in person. The only decision left was where they’d stop for meals along the

PHILADELPHIA -- Since sneaking in as the sixth seed in the National League, the D-backs have shown the baseball world their brand of baseball. They have a trio of legitimate starters. Their bullpen is better than most thought, thanks to some key midseason additions. Arizona is relentless on the bases,

It doesn't get any more exciting than a winner-take-all Game 7 in baseball. And the 2023 postseason brought us two in as many days. On Monday night, the Rangers blew out the Astros in Game 7 of the ALCS at Houston's Minute Maid Park, punching their ticket to the World

PHILADELPHIA -- If the Phillies and D-backs didn’t seem evenly matched heading into the National League Championship Series, they certainly are now. Arizona’s 5-1 win on Monday night set up a win-or-go-home Game 7 on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park. The NL pennant is there for the taking.

And just like that … we get another Game 7. The Rangers romped their way to their first World Series in 12 years on Monday night in their Game 7, finishing off an ALCS that was upside down in nearly every possible way. They are one of six teams that

This story was excerpted from Steve Gilbert’s D-backs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

This story was excerpted from Todd Zolecki's Phillies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

PHILADELPHIA -- Ketel Marte during the regular season? Pretty good. Marte during the postseason? Pencil him in for a hit every day. Marte extended his postseason hitting streak to 15 games with an RBI triple off Phillies starter Aaron Nola in the fifth inning of National League Championship Series Game

PHILADELPHIA -- Sleep is not going to come easy for Corbin Carroll on Monday night, and the D-backs outfielder wouldn’t have it any other way. It won’t be nerves that keep him up, but instead, the excitement that comes with knowing Tuesday night he and his teammates will be playing

PHILADELPHIA -- After starting the National League Championship Series going 1-for-13, Tommy Pham knew his spot in the lineup was in jeopardy. The first sign of it came in Game 4 when the D-backs turned to pinch-hitter Pavin Smith, not Pham, in a crucial spot. As Pham walked back into

PHILADELPHIA -- When Merrill Kelly returned to the dugout following the bottom of the fifth inning in National League Championship Series Game 6 on Monday, having just whiffed Bryce Harper to record his eighth consecutive out, D-backs manager Torey Lovullo was there to greet him. Lovullo offered a handshake, as

PHILADELPHIA -- Kyle Schwarber knows the feelings that course through a player’s body before a Game 7. He’s played in one. His team won. The Phillies will play the first Game 7 in their 141-season history on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park after losing to the D-backs, 5-1, in

PHILADELPHIA -- The lights dimmed. The bullpen door opened. "Welcome to the Jungle" started to blare over the sound system as the lights flashed throughout Citizens Bank Park. But for the first time since Craig Kimbrel's new entrance was unveiled in early August, he was entering the game in nothing

Established in 1883, the Phillies are one of the oldest franchises in baseball. Now, in their 141st season, they’ll be playing their first postseason Game 7. After losing Game 6 of the NLCS against the D-backs, the Phillies are set for a winner-take-all Game 7 on Tuesday night at Citizens

PHILADELPHIA -- Aaron Nola has preached all postseason -- and much of the 2023 campaign, for that matter -- about focusing only on what he can control. Well, that approach is about to be tested like never before.

PHOENIX -- Up and down Broad Street, from the Sports Complex to the neighborhoods well north of City Hall, countless souls will be awaiting Game 6 of the National League Championship Series with typical Philly fervor. For the second year in a row, the Phillies have a chance to clinch

This story was excerpted from Steve Gilbert’s D-backs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

This story was excerpted from Todd Zolecki's Phillies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.