Ketel Bell: Marte Walks It Off 🔔

10/20/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Diamondbacks Win Game 3 on Ketel Marte’s Walk Off (2-1); Astros Blitz Rangers (10-3) to Even Series

A Phillies-Rangers World Series? Not so fast. The tides turned in the NLCS and ALCS over the past 24 hours as the Astros rolled the Rangers for the second straight day and the Diamondbacks stunned the Phillies with a Ketel Marte walk-off. The weekend ahead should determine who plays in the Fall Classic. If not, we’ll have some exciting Game 7s in store early next week.

NLCS Gm 3: D-Backs def. Phillies (2-1)

Don’t sleep on the Diamondbacks just yet! Ketel Marte has been the only offensive bright spot for the D-Backs in the NLCS, and he came up clutch in Game 3. A scoreless pitcher’s duel between Brandon Pfaadt (5.2 IP, 9 Ks, 2 Hits) and Ranger Suarez (5.1 IP, 7 Ks, 3 Hits) finally found life in the 7th inning. The Phillies and D-Backs were tied 1-1 coming into the 9th frame before Arizona loaded the bases with just one out, and Marte struck a walk-off single to center field. Ball game. Marte (3-for-5, 1 RBI) has tallied 13 hits and 5 RBIs in October. Only Trea Turner (16 hits) has more. There’s life in Arizona. PHI Leads Series (2-1)

ALCS Gm 4: Astros def. Rangers (10-3)

The all-Texas battle added a chapter on Thursday that was nothing like the pitcher’s duel in Arizona. Houston’s bats wasted little time coming to life. They plated three runs in the 1st inning and four more in the 4th to extend a 7-3 lead. Insurance runs down the stretch put the game out of reach. Jose Abrea and Chas McCormick both went deep, and we’re all square in Texas. Series Tied (2-2)

Tonight’s Schedule

ALCS Gm 5: Astros at Rangers (5:07 pm, FS1)

NLCS Gm 4: Phillies at D-Backs (8:07 pm, TBS)

FOX Sports: Home-Cooked: Astros Toast Rangers at Globe Life Field to Tie ALCS

Photo: Mary DeCicco / Getty Images