What Is 2017 National League Wild Card

Overview

The 2017 National League Wild Card Game was a pivotal single-elimination matchup that determined one of the teams advancing to the National League Division Series. Held on October 4, 2017, the game featured the Los Angeles Dodgers hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, marking a rare postseason meeting between division rivals.

The winner would move on to face the winner of the NL Central, while the loser’s season ended immediately. As the higher seed, the Dodgers had home-field advantage despite the Diamondbacks finishing with a better regular-season record (93–69 vs. 104–58).

• October 4, 2017 was the official date of the game, part of MLB’s one-game playoff format for wild card teams since 2012.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a Wild Card berth by winning the NL West with a 104–58 record, the best in the National League.
• The Arizona Diamondbacks earned the second Wild Card spot with a 93–69 record, finishing second in the NL West.
• Chase Field in Phoenix hosted the game, giving Arizona home-field advantage due to their higher seed among Wild Card qualifiers.
• The final score was Dodgers 3, Diamondbacks 1, with Los Angeles advancing to the NLDS to face the Chicago Cubs.

How It Works

The National League Wild Card Game is a do-or-die playoff format introduced in 2012, pitting the two non-division-winning teams with the best records against each other in a single game.

• Single Game Format: Introduced in 2012, this winner-take-all game eliminates the loser and advances the winner to the NLDS. There is no series—just one game.
• Seeding Rules: The team with the better record hosts the game, regardless of division. In 2017, Arizona hosted despite Los Angeles having a superior win total.
• Pitching Strategy: Teams often use their ace or top starter on short rest. In 2017, Yu Darvish started for LA but lasted only four innings.
• Relief Dominance: The Dodgers bullpen was dominant; Clayton Kershaw recorded the save with two perfect innings, a rare relief appearance for the ace.
• Offensive Struggles: Arizona managed only five hits and one run, with Chris Taylor scoring the decisive run on a wild pitch in the seventh inning.
• Postseason Implications: The win propelled the Dodgers to the NLDS, where they eventually reached the World Series before losing to the Astros in seven games.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a side-by-side comparison of key performance metrics from the 2017 NL Wild Card Game:

The Dodgers' pitching staff, particularly their bullpen, controlled the game’s momentum. Despite Yu Darvish’s early struggles, relievers like Brandon Morrow and Clayton Kershaw shut down Arizona’s offense. The Diamondbacks’ lone run came in the fourth inning on a run-scoring single by David Peralta, but they failed to capitalize on other scoring chances. Los Angeles’ offense, led by Justin Turner’s solo home run in the second, provided just enough support. The game lasted 2 hours and 58 minutes and drew a crowd of 49,130 fans at Chase Field.

Why It Matters

The 2017 National League Wild Card Game was significant not only for its competitive tension but also for its long-term implications on postseason strategy and team legacies.

• Dodgers' World Series Run: LA advanced to the World Series for the first time since 1988, ultimately losing to Houston in a controversial seven-game series.
• Kershaw's Relief Role: Clayton Kershaw’s save was historic, marking a shift in how aces are used in high-leverage playoff situations.
• Diamondbacks' Decline: Arizona failed to return to the playoffs in 2018, finishing 82–80, showing how fleeting postseason success can be.
• Wild Card Format Debate: The game fueled ongoing discussion about expanding the playoff field, which MLB eventually did in 2022 to include more teams.
• Division Rivalry Intensified: The game deepened the competitive tension between NL West rivals Los Angeles and Arizona.
• Attendance Record: The crowd of 49,130 set a Chase Field postseason record, highlighting fan enthusiasm in Arizona.

This Wild Card Game remains a memorable chapter in National League history, illustrating the high stakes and unpredictability of MLB’s postseason format.