During the current series, the Arizona Diamondbacks have won over many ball fans. While few people saw them in the playoffs before the start of the year, here they are now in the World Series against the Texas Rangers.
Last night, they came very close to winning the first match of the final… but in a match worthy of the great Hollywood films, the Rangers made a crazy comeback at the end of the match. It was quite a match, really.
What we notice is that for the Diamondbacks, the big names of the club generally stood up yesterday. Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, Tommy Pham and the bullpen (aside from Paul Sewald, unfortunately) were solid, while Zac Gallen had an okay start, but one that gave his club a chance to win.
However, once again yesterday, Christian Walker had a difficult evening at work. He drew a walk, but was struck out in each of his other four at-bats, including three strikeouts.
At least he excels defensively, but it will take more defensively.
And in fact, it follows a series that is quite difficult for Walker, one of the club’s best hitters in normal times. His batting line of .163/.351/.302 (no, that’s not a mistake) is uninspiring, even if he draws a lot of walks.
The fact that the club is currently in the World Series without having been able to count on a good contribution from Walker, one of the big names in the lineup, is impressive.
We sense that Walker is respected by opposing pitchers, who often give him first base, but if the Diamondbacks want to compete with the Rangers’ dominant lineup, Walker is going to have to give more.
He must continue to draw walks, but he must also take advantage of at-bats where he has the opportunity to do damage for the sake of doing damage. He’s the one who’s supposed to produce runs in the lineup, and yet he’s only produced two since the start of the series against the Phillies.
THE DBacks are a united team, and it is the collective of the group that allowed the club to reach the World Series. That said, in this grand final, the club needs its best players to stand up.
Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte and Tommy Pham did it yesterday, and tonight Merrill Kelly will have the opportunity to do it, while Paul Sewald might get a chance to redeem himself in the ninth inning. On the other hand, Christian Walker will have to do his part too, and facing a left-hander this evening in Jordan Montgomery, the opportunity is great.
We will therefore see if Walker will be able to bounce back by the end of the series, but the sooner he does so, the more chance he will give his club to win. It’s up to him to seize the opportunity now.
