In a gripping NLCS Game 5 showdown, the Arizona Diamondbacks find themselves on the brink of elimination after a 6-1 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Phillies. This loss has put the Phillies ahead 3-2 in the best-of-seven NLCS, forcing the Diamondbacks to bring their A-game in Game 6, which will be hosted in Philadelphia.
Arizona’s quest for a World Series appearance, last achieved in 2001 when they clinched the title by defeating the New York Yankees, now hinges on their performance in the upcoming games.
Despite the challenging situation, the spotlight continues to shine on Diamondbacks’ infielder Ketel Marte. In Game 5, Marte went 1-for-4, maintaining his outstanding postseason performance. His current batting average stands at an impressive .372 for these playoffs, with 16 hits in 43 at-bats and an equally impressive .400 on-base percentage. His consistency in getting hits not only aids his team but also brings him one step closer to achieving a historic playoff baseball record.
According to Sarah Langs of MLB.com, Ketel Marte is currently on a 14-game hitting streak, marking the second-longest hitting streak at the start of a postseason career. He is only trailing Marquis Grissom, who held a 15-game hitting streak during the 1995-96 postseason. Grissom, a former Gold Glove outfielder, played a pivotal role for the Atlanta Braves during their World Series victory in 1995, and their subsequent loss to the Yankees in 1996.
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Marte’s playoff career batting average stands at an impressive .383, and this is not his first rodeo, having made the playoffs with the D’Backs in 2017.
In addition to his postseason accomplishments, the 30-year-old had a highly productive regular season, batting .276 with 25 home runs, 82 RBIs, and eight stolen bases, while boasting an .844 OPS. Marte’s extensive experience in the big leagues, spanning nine seasons with both the Mariners and Diamondbacks, has solidified his reputation as a reliable .279 hitter with 107 home runs. In 2019, he even earned a spot on the All-Star Game roster.
The Diamondbacks are gearing up for Game 6 of the NLCS, slated for Monday night, with Merrill Kelly on the mound for Arizona, facing off against Aaron Nola representing the Phillies. The stage is set for a thrilling showdown as the Diamondbacks fight to keep their World Series dreams alive.
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