Diamondbacks Announce NLCS Roster

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced their National League Championship roster this morning. The team will go into battle with the Philadelphia Phillies tonight with 13 pitchers and 13 position players. In the previous two postseason rounds the team utilized 12 pitchers and 14 position players. The longer series with fewer off days in between than they had for the NLDS necessitates more coverage from the pitching side.

Accordingly right-hand pitcher Slade Cecconi has been added to the roster, presumably to provide multiple innings where needed. He could possibly even get a start in game four or be the "bulk" pitcher following an opener. Cecconi appeared in seven games for the D-backs this year, four as a starter. In 27 innings he posted a 4.33 ERA and 1.148 WHIP. He walked just four batters and struck out 20 but gave up four homers among his 27 hits allowed. Good strikeout to walk ratios accompanied by high home run rates has been the trend for Cecconi in the minor leagues as well.

Jace Peterson is no longer among the position players on the roster. He had been used sparingly this post season. The veteran infielder came over from Oakland in a trade at the August deadline but did not hit well down the stretch. Jordan Lawlar is on the roster to provide late inning defensive option at second base and as pinch runner.

Here's who we're rocking with. #EmbraceTheChaos pic.twitter.com/9UDbpBlbjQ
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) October 16, 2023

The Phillies have also announced their NLCS roster. They are also going with the 13-13 alignment. There had be some speculation that first baseman Rhys Hoskins might make it back for this round of the playoff. Hoskins suffered a torn ACL in spring and missed the entire 2023 regular season.

Our NLCS roster is set!#RedOctober pic.twitter.com/XJcl8imohE
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 16, 2023