While the end of the season didn't go exactly how they wanted against a desperate Astros team, the Arizona Diamondbacks did manage to clinch a playoff spot this year. While the first half of the 2023 season saw the DBacks pushing hard for the division crown, a mediocre second half meant that they had to settle for the last wild card spot.
In fairness, this is still a great outcome for a young team like the Diamondbacks. They have one of the best young player in all of baseball in Corbin Carroll (who is also the prohibitive favorite to win National League Rookie of the Year this year) along with studs Zac Gallen, Ketel Marte, Merrill Kelly, and Christian Walker. Make no mistake about it, this is a dangerous team to have to face in a short series for any opponent.
To help keep track of the goings on in the 2023, here is a look at the Diamondbacks' upcoming playoff schedule and who they are set to face.
National League Championship Series Schedule - Diamondbacks win series, 4-3
The Diamondbacks looked as if they were thoroughly outclassed by the Phillies after the opening games in Philadelphia. But Arizona refused to give in and clawed their way back, forcing the series to go all seven games before a 4-2 victory sent them to the World Series for the first time in more than 20 years.
Game | Date | Time | Opponent | Where to watch (TV) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Game One (Away) | Monday, October 16 | 8:07 PM EST | Phillies | TBS |
Game Two (Away) | Tuesday, October 17 | 8:07 PM EST | Phillies | TBS |
Game Three (Home | Thursday, October 19 | 5:07 PM EST | Phillies | TBS |
Game Four (Home) | Friday, October 20 | 8:07 PM EST | Phillies | TBS |
Game Five | Saturday, October 21 | 8:07 PM EST | Phillies | TBS |
Game Six | Monday, October 23 | 5:07 PM EST | Phillies | TBS |
Game Seven | Tuesday, October 24 | 8:07 PM EST | Phillies | TBS |
National League Division Series Schedule - Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers
The Diamondbacks' prize for winning their first round series was the right to play the ever imposing LA Dodgers in the NLDS. Arizona lost five out of eight regular season games against the Dodgers in 2023, but the Dodgers have some issues with their roster on the pitching side of things, so Arizona had a real shot against the Dodgers and managed to sweep them right out of the NLDS 3-0.
Game | Date | Time | Opponent | Where to watch (TV) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Game One | Saturday, October 7th | 9:20 PM EST/6:20 PM PST | Dodgers | TBS |
Game Two | Monday, October 9th | 9:07 PM EST/6:07 PM PST | Dodgers | TBS |
Game Three | Wednesday, October 11th | TBD | Dodgers | TBS |
Game Four (if necessary) | Thursday, October 12th | TBD | Dodgers | TBS |
Game Five (if necessary) | Saturday, October 14th | TBD | Dodgers | TBS |
National League Wild Card Series Schedule
As the sixth seed in the National League, Arizona unfortunately does have to deal with the wild card round of the playoffs and worse than that, they have go play a three game series on the road in Milwaukee to advance to the NLDS.
Game | Date | Time | Opponent | Where to watch (TV) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Game One - Diamondbacks win | Tuesday, October 3rd | 7:08 PM EST | Brewers | ESPN2 |
Game Two - Diamondbacks win | Wednesday, October 4th | 7:08 PM EST | Brewers | ESPN2 |
Game Three (if necessary) | Thursday, October 5th | 7:08 PM EST | Brewers | ESPN2 |
The Diamondbacks took on the NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers in the wild card round. The Brewers were in a pillow fight to the death in the NL Central in the first half, but got some guys back from injury (most notably Brandon Woodruff), separated themselves from the pack, and won the division handily by nine games. However, Woodruff would end up being out for the wild card round and the Diamondbacks won the series in convincing fashion in two games.
Diamondbacks Projected Playoff Rotation
Arizona does have to plan ahead a little bit with their rotation as they want to make sure that they have their top arms available for a potential NLDS appearance, but there is no doubt that the Diamondbacks will be sending Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly to the mound for the first two games of the season. A potential third game is much more problematic for Arizona as the starting options for them drop off significantly. Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson remain options for that game with a bullpen game probably being the most likely option if a third game is forced.