2023 MLB Playoffs: Top seeds go down in NLDS

The NLDS is now officially complete, with the Phillies and Diamondbacks each producing upsets over the National League's top two seeds.

The Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers were the expected progress, but neither could get the job done and their seasons are now over.

#1 Atlanta Braves vs. #4 Philadelphia Phillies

Game 1: Philadelphia wins 3-0

Game 1 of this series was all Philadelphia. The Phillies got lone runs in the fourth, sixth, and eighth inning behind an RBI single from Bryson Scott, a home run by Bryce Harper and a controversial catcher’s interference.

Combined with the Phillies’ pitching staff that used seven pitchers to hold the Braves to five hits and no runs, the Phillies cruised to an easy Game 1 win on the road.

Game 2: Atlanta wins 5-4

Game 2 was looking like it would be all Philadelphia once again as they held the Braves hitless into the sixth inning.

They opened the scoring with one run in the first, another two in the third and one in the fifth to open up a 4-0 lead. Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler was dominant across the first half of the game, striking out 10 Atlanta hitters before the Braves began their comeback in the bottom of the sixth inning. 

This rally started because Ronald Acuna Jr. scored on a Trea Turner error to cut the lead to 4-1. The following inning a Travis d’Arnaud two-run home run cut the lead to 4-3.

In the bottom of the 8th, Austin Riley hit a go-ahead two-run home run to give the Braves the lead for the first time in the series.

A wild sequence in the top of the ninth saw Bryce Harper get doubled up at first after an amazing catch by Michael Harris to end the game and give the Braves life in the series.

Game 3: Philadelphia wins 10-2

The Braves got off to a quick start in Game 3, scoring the first run in the top of the third inning, however, after that it was all Philadelphia.

They posted a six-run bottom of the third behind home runs from Nick Castellanos and Bryce Harper. Another Harper homer in the bottom of the fifth increased the lead to 7-1, before home runs by Trea Turner, Castellanos and Brandon Marsh made the score 10-2 as the Phillies retook control of this series.

Game 4: Philadelphia wins 3-1

Game 4 was a tight affair almost the entire time. Atlanta opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning, but the Phillies immediately responded with a home run by Nick Castellanos in the bottom half of the inning.

Trea Turner put the Phillies ahead in the bottom of the fifth inning with a home run of his own and another home run by Castellanos put the Phillies up 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Braves had their chances, but left the bases loaded in the top of the seventh and left runners at the corners in the top of the ninth to be eliminated by the Phillies for the second season in a row, having won the National League East and won 104 games during the regular season.

Philadelphia wins the series 3-1
 

#2 Los Angeles Dodgers vs. #6 Arizona Diamondbacks

Game 1: Arizona wins 11-2

Arizona jumped all over Clayton Kershaw in the first inning, scoring six runs. The Diamondbacks added to their lead in the second inning, making the score 9-0.

Two more runs in the seventh and eighth made the score 11-0 before the Dodgers finally got on the board with two runs in the eighth. It was still far too late by then as the Diamondbacks cruised to an improbable win in Game 1.

Game 2: Arizona wins 4-2

More of the same took place in Game 2 as the Diamondbacks jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. Again, this was all that was needed to steal a second game in Los Angeles as the Dodgers' comeback attempt fell short.

Game 3: Arizona wins 4-2

Just like in Game 1 and Game 2, Arizona got on the board first with four home runs in the bottom of the third.

The Dodgers cut the lead in half in the top of the seventh, but ultimately fell short as the Diamondbacks completed the sweep and advanced to the NLCS.

Arizona wins the series 3-0

What’s Next?

With both NLDS series having concluded, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies will play in the NLCS.

Game 1 of this series is scheduled to take place on Monday, October 16 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.