2017 National League Wildcard Game

Wake up! Get ready! There’s no time for rest! The MLB Postseason continues, and if last night’s AL Wildcard game was any indicator, we’re in store for another thriller tonight.

Rockies!

D-Backs!

Let’s get after it…

Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks

Last night we were spoiled as fans as the Twins and Yankees wasted no time going for each other’s jugulars. By the end of the 1st inning we had already seen 3 pitching casualties, and 3 rockets get sent into the night sky as all plans for each teams aces (Luis Severino of the Yankees & Ervin Santana of the Twins) going the distance were tossed to the way side as neither pitcher lasted to the 3rd. The Yankees would prove victorious however as a 4th inning blast by Judge would put New York on top by two, punching their ticket to the ALDS, and eventually wining 8-4.

This evening we are graced with Act II of the MLB’s do-or-die wildcard series’ as the Colorado Rockies come into Chase Field to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both teams know each other well, facing off 19 times during the regular season which should create a blood thirsty tension in tonight’s atmosphere that should keep us glued to our screens. As usual, both teams have elected to throw their aces, each of whom has had great success against each other's squads. Jon Gray of the Rockies shutdown Arizona twice at Chase Field this season raking in 10K’s in both outings while his counterpart Zack Grienke has gone 2-1 with a 3.41 ERA in five appearances against Colorado. Normally a pitching matchup like this would have me salivating, but with each team so familiar with the other's hurler, I think this game will instead come down to the lumber. Both teams offenses are potent, scoring 824 (COL) and 812 (ARI) runs respectively during the regular season, good for 1st and 4th in the National League, and it’s that offensive mentality that I think could make this game an instant classic. The Rockies offense comes packed with star power. Led by their table setter, and NL MVP

candidate, Charlie Blackmon, Colorado will hope to jump on Grienke early. Blackmon shocked the nation this year in the lead off role batting .331 with 37 dingers and 104 RBI’s (both records for a leadoff man). The centerfielder’s play will be crucial tonight as without it, this could be a slaughter. Blackmon is teamed up with fellow NL MVP candidate, and All Star third baseman, Nolan Arrenado who like Blackmon, is one of the Rockies biggest run producers. Arrenado brings the power to this lineup and he’ll need to show that early if Colorado wants to have a chance. The Rockies best chance at winning this game however will be small ball. Colorado led the NL in runs this season and it’s a tribute to the way they play the game of baseball. They’re smart at bat, and pepper you across the field, accumulating runs at a steady pace and not in bunches. The key for them will be to rattle Grienke. Arizona is thin in the bullpen and the matchup will favor Colorado if they’re able to tap into that. Arizona is no hunch however. The Diamondbacks bring an assembly line of consistency to

their lineup. Rather than 2-3 studs, the Diamondbacks have found success in all areas of their lineup producing FIVE players this season with over 100 hits. Where the Rockies rely on select innings where their lineup is fat, Arizona can come at you from anywhere in the order on any given inning. They are led by bonafide stud, Paul Goldschmidt, arguable the best all-around first basemen in the game. Like his counterparts, Blackmon and Arrenado, Paul too is in the running for NL MVP (yes folks that’s THREE, count it, THREE MVP candidates we’ll be seeing tonight) and has a nose for the gaps in center. Goldschmidt was a key contributor this season for a team that led the National League in Doubles (314) AND Triples (39). The key for Arizona tonight is just to stay true to themselves. Their lineup is overwhelming and with a former CY Young winner in Zack Grienke on the mound the only way they lose this one is if they beat themselves. I struggled all day over this pick. It was like selecting your favorite child, but in the end, the Diamondbacks are a machine. They didn’t acquire the third best record in the NL by picking their nose. Arizona is ready to give the NL a run for its money. They move on to play LA in the NLCS.

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