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Arizona Diamondbacks: 4th NLCS appearance
1905 1907 1908 1924
The Arizona Diamondbacks — a team that refuses to be intimidated by the moment.
First, they stared down their longtime NL West rivals, the division-winning Los Angeles Dodgers — and sent them home in the Wild Card round. Then, as if that weren’t enough, they turned their attention to the National League’s number-two seed, the mighty Atlanta Braves — and swept them aside in convincing fashion.
It’s been 16 long years since the Diamondbacks last reached the National League Championship Series. In that time, the franchise has known both heartbreak and irrelevance. But this October, they have rediscovered something vital — an edge, a belief, a resilience that belies their modest 85-win regular season.
And make no mistake — this is no Cinderella story. This team belongs here. They’ve beaten the best by outplaying them in every phase — timely hitting, sharp defense, and pitching that rises to the occasion.
Tony Kelley, the shortstop with a flair for the big moment, led the charge — hitting .538 for the series, showing poise, power, and the kind of leadership that can turn a good team into a dangerous one. Behind him, right-hander Jimmy Grubbs once again delivered when it mattered most, working seven strong innings in the clinching game, and earning Player of the Game honors.
Now, the Diamondbacks turn toward the next challenge — a date with the top-seeded Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series. Two clubs, both riding waves of momentum, both chasing history.
For Arizona — their fourth trip to the NLCS, their first since 1908 — the dream continues.
They may have won just 85 games, but at this point in October, the record books don’t matter. The Diamondbacks are legit — and the rest of baseball knows it.
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