The Arizona Diamondbacks don't have many well-known names in their bullpen. That hasn't stopped them from putting up great numbers in the postseason. Late additions this season like Andrew Saalfrank and Ryan Thompson have been vital for the Diamondbacks during their unlikely run to the NL Championship Series.
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Kevin Ginkel reacts during the eighth inning in Game 3 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, in Phoenix. Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Paul Sewald celebrates after the final out of Game 2 of their National League wildcard baseball series against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Milwaukee. The Diamondbacks won 5-2 to win the series.
First it was lefty Joe Mantiply, who delivered 1 1/3 scoreless innings. He didn’t find a regular spot in the big leagues until he was 30 years old, becoming arguably the franchise’s most unlikely All-Star in 2022. Then manager Torey Lovullo turned to Thompson, a righty side-armer who was released by Tampa Bay less than two months ago.
Saalfrank made his big league debut on Sept. 5 and almost immediately became an indispensable piece for the bullpen. He appeared in 10 games during the regular season and now has thrown in three postseason games.“He’s a low-heartbeat kind of kid,” Mantiply said. “Being able to come up and handle the environments he’s been in, it’s pretty special.”
Then there’s one of the few established veterans of the bunch: Paul Sewald. The closer was added in a trade-deadline deal with the Seattle Mariners on July 31 and immediately solidified the back end of the bullpen. He saved 13 games in the regular season’s final two months and is 4 for 4 in postseason save opportunities.
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