What Is 2017 National League Wild Card Game

Overview

The 2017 National League Wild Card Game was a high-scoring, dramatic single-elimination contest between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies. Held on October 4, 2017, at Chase Field in Phoenix, the game determined which team would advance to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series.

The Diamondbacks emerged victorious with an 11-8 win, overcoming early deficits and shaky starting pitching. The game featured multiple home runs, bullpen collapses, and aggressive base running, making it one of the most memorable Wild Card matchups in recent history.

• October 4, 2017 marked the date of the game, played under clear skies at Chase Field in front of 48,806 fans.
• The Arizona Diamondbacks earned home-field advantage by finishing with a better regular-season record (93–69) than the Rockies (87–75).
• Colorado Rockies leadoff hitter Charlie Blackmon hit the first home run in Wild Card Game history to start the top of the first inning.
• Diamondbacks starter Zack Greinke lasted just two outs, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks.
• Arizona’s Jean Segura drove in three runs and scored twice, playing a pivotal role in the offensive explosion.

How It Works

The National League Wild Card Game is a one-game playoff introduced in 2012 to determine which of two non-division-winning teams advances to the Division Series. The two Wild Card teams, seeded by record, face off in a neutral or higher-seeded venue, with the winner moving on and the loser eliminated.

• Format: The game follows standard MLB rules but is a single-elimination format, meaning one loss ends a team’s season.
• Seeding: The team with the better regular-season record hosts the game; in 2017, Arizona hosted due to their six-game advantage.
• Eligibility: Only the two non-division-winning teams with the best records qualify as Wild Card entrants.
• Game Length: The game lasts at least nine innings, with extra innings if tied, as per standard MLB rules.
• Advancement: The winner advances to the NL Division Series to face the top-seeded division winner.
• History: The format began in 2012 after expansion from one to two Wild Card teams per league.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2017 NL Wild Card Game compared to other recent Wild Card matchups in key statistical and structural categories:

Compared to typically low-scoring Wild Card contests, the 2017 game stood out for its offensive output. The 19 combined runs shattered previous records, contrasting sharply with shutouts in 2014, 2015, and 2016. This game emphasized bullpen usage and aggressive lineups over pitching dominance.

Why It Matters

The 2017 NL Wild Card Game was significant not only for its outcome but also for its implications on playoff strategy and team building. It showcased how volatile single-elimination games can be, especially when starting pitchers falter early.

• The Diamondbacks’ win marked their first playoff victory since 2007, reigniting fan enthusiasm in Arizona.
• Colorado’s loss extended their postseason losing streak to eight consecutive games.
• The high-scoring nature challenged the notion that starting pitching dominates in October.
• It highlighted the importance of bullpen depth, as both teams used six pitchers apiece.
• The game’s national TV ratings were strong, proving the Wild Card format’s entertainment value.
• It influenced front offices to prioritize versatile, power-hitting lineups for short playoff series.

Ultimately, the 2017 NL Wild Card Game remains a benchmark for offensive fireworks and postseason unpredictability, underscoring the drama inherent in MLB’s win-or-go-home format.