2023 National League Wild Card Series

2023 National League Wild Card Series
Teams
Team (Wins) Manager Season Arizona Diamondbacks (2) Torey Lovullo 84–78 (.519), GB: 16 Milwaukee Brewers (0) Craig Counsell 92–70 (.568), GA: 9
Dates	October 3–4
Television	ESPN2
TV announcers	Jon Sciambi, Doug Glanville, and Jesse Rogers
Radio	ESPN
Radio announcers	Roxy Bernstein and Gregg Olson
Umpires	Sean Barber, Dan Bellino, Mike Estabrook, Alan Porter (crew chief), Mark Ripperger, Chris Segal
Teams
Team (Wins) Manager Season Philadelphia Phillies (2) Rob Thomson 90–72 (.556), GB: 14 Miami Marlins (0) Skip Schumaker 84–78 (.519), GB: 20
Dates	October 3–4
Television	ESPN
TV announcers	Karl Ravech, Eduardo Pérez, David Cone, and Buster Olney
Radio	ESPN
Radio announcers	Mike Couzens and Chris Burke
Umpires	Jordan Baker, Doug Eddings, James Hoye (crew chief), Marvin Hudson, Edwin Moscoso, Stu Scheurwater

The 2023 National League Wild Card Series were the two best-of-three playoff series in Major League Baseball (MLB) to determine the participating teams of the 2023 National League Division Series (NLDS). Both Wild Card Series began on October 3, with Game 2s scheduled for October 4. ESPN broadcast both Wild Card Series in the United States together with ESPN Radio.^[1]

These matchups are:

• (3) Milwaukee Brewers (NL Central champions) vs. (6) Arizona Diamondbacks (third wild card): Diamondbacks win series 2–0.
• (4) Philadelphia Phillies (first wild card) vs. (5) Miami Marlins (second wild card): Phillies win series 2–0.

Background

Under the current playoff structure, there are two Wild Card Series in both the American League (AL) and National League (NL). The lowest-seeded division winner and three wild card teams in each league play in a best-of-three series after the end of the regular season. The winners of each league's wild card rounds advance to face the two best division winners in that league's Division Series.

The Milwaukee Brewers (92–70) clinched their first postseason appearance since 2021, and their fifth in six seasons on September 22^[2] and the NL Central on September 26.^[3][4] Due to having the worst record of the three National League division winners, they are locked into the third seed. They played host to the sixth-seeded Arizona Diamondbacks (84–78), who clinched a postseason berth on September 30, for their first postseason appearance since 2017, and just the second since 2011.^[5] Arizona won the season series against Milwaukee, 4–2.^[6] Historically, this is the second postseason match-up between the two teams, following the 2011 National League Division Series, which was won by the Brewers in five games.

The Philadelphia Phillies (90–72), the defending National League champions, clinched their second straight postseason appearance on September 26 and also clinched the fourth-seed as the best non-division winner and home-field advantage for the wild card series.^[7][8] They played host to the fifth-seeded Miami Marlins (84–78), who clinched a postseason berth on September 30.^[9] Miami won the season series against Philadelphia, 7–6, despite being outscored 64–55.^[10] This is the first postseason match-up between the NL East division rivals.

As the top two seeds, the Atlanta Braves (104–58) and Los Angeles Dodgers (100–62) earned a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the NLDS.^{[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]}

Matchups

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona won the series, 2–0.

Game	Date	Score	Location	Time	Attendance
1	October 3	Arizona Diamondbacks – 6, Milwaukee Brewers – 3	American Family Field	3:36	40,892[20]
2	October 4	Arizona Diamondbacks – 5, Milwaukee Brewers – 2	American Family Field	2:58	41,166[21]

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Miami Marlins

Philadelphia won the series, 2–0.

Game	Date	Score	Location	Time	Attendance
1	October 3	Miami Marlins – 1, Philadelphia Phillies – 4	Citizens Bank Park	2:46	45,662[22]
2	October 4	Miami Marlins – 1, Philadelphia Phillies – 7	Citizens Bank Park	2:30	45,738[23]

Milwaukee vs. Arizona

This was the second postseason match-up between Milwaukee and Arizona, following the 2011 National League Division Series which Milwaukee won in five games.^[24]

Game 1

Corbin Carroll hit a two-run home run in the third inning of Game 1.

October 3, 2023 6:08 pm (CDT) at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin 80 °F (27 °C), Clear

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Arizona	0	0	3	1	0	0	0	0	2	6	9	0
Milwaukee	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	12	0
WP: Joe Mantiply (1–0)   LP: Corbin Burnes (0–1)   Sv: Paul Sewald (1) Home runs: AZ: Corbin Carroll (1), Ketel Marte (1), Gabriel Moreno (1) MIL: Tyrone Taylor (1) Attendance: 40,892 Boxscore

Corbin Burnes started for Milwaukee, while rookie Brandon Pfaadt started for Arizona. The Brewers scored in the bottom of the first on a Carlos Santana RBI single that scored Christian Yelich. In the second, Tyrone Taylor hit a two-run home run off Pfaadt to give the Brewers a 3–0 lead. Arizona answered with a two-run home run from Corbin Carroll in the top of the third. With this homer, Carroll became the youngest-ever Diamondback to homer in the postseason. The next batter, Ketel Marte, hit a solo home run to tie the game at three. The Brewers loaded the bases in the bottom of the third but did not score. Gabriel Moreno hit a solo homer in the fourth to give Arizona a one-run lead. The Brewers loaded the bases with one out in the fifth, but third baseman Evan Longoria turned a double play to get the Diamondbacks out of the jam. Christian Walker added to Arizona's lead in the top of the ninth with a two-run double, making it 6–3. Paul Sewald earned the save for the Diamondbacks. This ended a seven game road losing streak for Arizona in the postseason dating back to the 2007 NLCS.

Game 2

October 4, 2023 6:08 pm (CDT) at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin 73 °F (23 °C), Roof Closed

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Arizona	0	0	0	0	1	4	0	0	0	5	6	0
Milwaukee	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	8	0
WP: Zac Gallen (1–0)   LP: Freddy Peralta (0–1)   Sv: Paul Sewald (2) Home runs: AZ: Alek Thomas (1) MIL: None Attendance: 41,166 Boxscore

Game 2 was déjà vu for Milwaukee as they scored two quick runs against Arizona's ace Zac Gallen in the first inning. Freddy Peralta was dealing early in Game 2. He struck out five through 31⁄3 innings and had a no-hitter going through four scoreless innings. Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas homered to break up the no-no in the fifth. The Diamondbacks rallied for four runs in the sixth inning with Corbin Carroll's double making it a serious threat and Ketel Marte's two-RBI single giving Arizona the lead. A wild pitch and then a blooper with eyes scored the next two runs to give the Diamondbacks a 5–2 lead, which ended up being the final score.^[25]

With Milwaukee's defeat, the NL Central as a division moved to a combined 0–7 in postseason series since 2020. This was also Craig Counsell's last game as Brewers' manger, as he signed with the rival Chicago Cubs in the off-season.

Philadelphia vs. Miami

This was the first postseason match-up between Philadelphia and Miami.

Game 1

Zack Wheeler earned the win in Game 1.

October 3, 2023 8:09 pm (EDT) at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 74 °F (23 °C), Clear

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Miami	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	7	0
Philadelphia	0	0	1	2	0	0	0	1	X	4	11	0
WP: Zack Wheeler (1–0)   LP: Jesús Luzardo (0–1)   Sv: Craig Kimbrel (1) Attendance: 45,662 Boxscore

Zack Wheeler started for the defending National League champion Phillies against Jesús Luzardo for the Marlins. After a scoreless first two innings, Alec Bohm broke the tie with an RBI double in the third inning. The Phillies tacked on two more in the fourth on back-to-back RBI singles from Bryson Stott and Cristian Pache to open up a 3–0 lead. Luzardo ended his night with three runs and eight hits given up to go along with five strikeouts over four innings. The Marlins got on the board in the seventh after an RBI single from Bryan De La Cruz chased Wheeler. José Alvarado came on in relief to strike out Yuli Gurriel to end the inning. Wheeler ended his night giving up one run and striking out eight batters over 62⁄3 strong innings. Philadelphia tacked on another run in the eighth on a Nick Castellanos RBI double before Craig Kimbrel shut the door in the ninth to give the Phillies a 1–0 lead in the series.

Game 2

Bryson Stott hit a grand slam home run in the sixth inning of Game 2.

October 4, 2023 8:08 pm (EDT) at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 72 °F (22 °C), Clear

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Miami	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	5	1
Philadelphia	0	0	2	1	0	4	0	0	X	7	7	0
WP: Aaron Nola (1–0)   LP: Braxton Garrett (0–1) Home runs: MIA: None PHI: J. T. Realmuto (1), Bryson Stott (1) Attendance: 45,738 Boxscore

Aaron Nola looked to send the Phillies to a rematch of the 2022 NLDS while Braxton Garrett toed the rubber hoping to keep the Marlins' playoff hopes alive. Nola ended a Marlins scoring threat in the third, throwing out Jon Berti who got caught attempting to steal third base. A Kyle Schwarber RBI double and Trea Turner RBI single started the scoring for the Phillies in the bottom half of the inning, with J. T. Realmuto tacking on another with a solo home run in the fourth. In the bottom of the sixth, Bryson Stott hit a grand slam off of Andrew Nardi to extend the Phillies' lead to 7–0. Nola finished his night after seven strong innings, scattering three hits, and striking out three. The Marlins put a run on the board in the ninth with a Josh Bell RBI single, but Gregory Soto slammed the door, striking out Jazz Chisholm Jr. on three pitches to send the Phillies to the NLDS.

See also

• 2023 American League Wild Card Series

References

1. "MLB announces 2023 Postseason schedule". MLB.com. August 8, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
2. Rose, Derrick (September 22, 2023). "Brewers clinch playoff spot with dominant win over Miami". ABC 12 WISN. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
3. McCalvy, Adam. "'We got it done': Crew's clinch of NL Central a crazy affair". MLB.com.
4. "Milwaukee Brewers clinch NL Central title with Chicago Cubs loss". TMJ4 News. September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
5. Gilbert, Steve. "D-backs seal 1st trip to the postseason since 2017". MLB.com. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
6. Piecoro, Nick. "Diamondbacks to play Brewers in wild-card series". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
7. Corey, Seidman (September 27, 2023). "Phillies clinch playoffs in fitting way, hope it's the first celebration of many". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
8. Zolecki, Todd. "Phillies dancing on their own after walk-off clinch". MLB.com.
9. DeNicola, Christina (October 1, 2023). "Marlins' clincher capped 'an awesome run' to postseason". MLB.com. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
10. Giesen, Greg. "Miami Marlins: 5 things to know about Phillies' NL Wild Card Series opponent". The News Journal. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
11. Bowman, Mark (September 18, 2023). "Braves clinch first-round bye as they consider Wright's role". MLB.com. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
12. Crosby, Lindsay. "WATCH: The Atlanta Braves secure National League home-field advantage by walking off the Chicago Cubs - Sports Illustrated Atlanta Braves News, Analysis and More". Sports Illustrated Atlanta Braves News, Analysis and More. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
13. Bowman, Mark. "Acuña secures MLB's 1st 40-70 season as Braves nab NL's top seed". MLB.com. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
14. "MLB roundup: Ronald Acuna, Braves clinch home field". Reuters. September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
15. Burns, Gabriel. "Braves clinch National League's No. 1 seed with latest win". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
16. Burns, Gabriel. "Braves clinch homefield advantage throughout postseason after sweeping Cubs". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
17. Bowman, Mark. "Olson sets Braves' RBI mark as Atlanta clinches MLB's best record". MLB.com. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
18. Wexler, Sarah (September 16, 2023). "Kershaw passes Drysdale for 2nd place in franchise wins". MLB.com. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
19. Harris, Jack (September 21, 2023). "The top playoff seed is up for grabs, but the Dodgers aren't changing their approach". Los Angeles Times.
20. "D-backs 6, Brewers 3 Final Score". MLB.com. October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
21. "D-backs 5, Brewers 2 Final Score". MLB.com. October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
22. "Marlins 1, Phillies 4 Final Score". MLB.com. October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
23. "Marlins 1, Phillies 7 Final Score". MLB.com. October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
24. ARI@MIL Gm5: Morgan sends the Brewers to the NLCS, retrieved October 1, 2023
25. Axisa, Matt; Snyder, Matt (October 5, 2023). "2023 MLB playoffs: Seven takeaways from unique sweep-filled day in baseball's postseason". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 5, 2023.

External links

• Major League Baseball postseason schedule