2026 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

SERIES PREVIEW – NLCS PREVIEW: Familiar Foes Collide as 114-Win Tempers Meet Thorn-in-Side Explorers

The 2026 National League Championship Series features an all-NL Central showdown that pits regular-season dominance against head-to-head mastery. The Tempe Tempers bulldozed the league with a staggering 114-48 record to capture the division crown, while the Columbus Explorers hung tough at 99-63 to punch their ticket as runners-up.

Yet despite finishing 15 games back of Tempe in the standings, Columbus holds a critical psychological edge: the Explorers went 7-5 against the Tempers in the regular season. For Columbus to punch their ticket to the MWBL Fall Classic, that regular-season blueprint will need to hold up against one of the most balanced juggernauts in recent memory.

The Pitching Matchup: Historic Rotations Collide

Tempe’s rotation is headlined by arguably the most lethal one-two punch in baseball: Jacob deGrom (28-5, 1.65 ERA, .145 OBA) and Freddy Peralta (22-4, 1.92 ERA, 250 strikeouts). Peralta led the staff with 220 innings pitched and a 10.4 K/9 rate, while veteran Justin Verlander (9-11, 3.73 ERA) provides seasoned postseason depth in the third spot. If games reach the late frames with a lead, Tempe’s bullpen has been automatic behind closer Andrés Muñoz, who racked up 43 saves with a 1.72 ERA, flanked by Caleb Ferguson (29 holds) and Bryan King (1.80 ERA).

Columbus counters with an exceptionally disciplined, resilient staff. Workhorse David Peterson anchored the rotation, tossing 190.1 innings with 168 strikeouts and 17 quality starts, while Sean Smith paced the starting group with 15 wins and a 3.63 ERA. The wildcard for Columbus remains Nathan Eovaldi, who was downright unhittable in his 17 starts, going 11-2 with a microscopic .107 opponent batting average and four complete-game shutouts. Out of the bullpen, Abner Uribe serves as Columbus’s ultimate weapon; the fireballing reliever went 7-2 with 32 saves, a 1.28 ERA, and struck out 98 batters over 84.1 innings while stranding nearly 89% of inherited runners.

At the Plate: Firepower vs. Clutchness

Offensively, the Tempers boast a relentless attack led by MVP candidates George Springer (.309 AVG, 35 HR, 112 R, 30 SB) and Jose Ramírez (.277 AVG, 29 HR, 107 RBI, 50 SB). Freddie Freeman remains the metronome in the heart of the order (.292 AVG, 29 HR, 106 RBI, 11-game active hitting streak), while catcher Cal Raleigh provides terrifying pop, clubbing a team-high 39 home runs in only 381 plate appearances. Steven Kwan (.273 AVG, 21 SB) sets the table at the top, giving Tempe unmatched speed and power from 1 through 9.

Columbus relies on a more grinding, patient offensive style that specializes in timely extra-base hits. Outfielder Trent Grisham provided the bulk of the punch with 34 homers, 73 RBIs, and 66 walks. Jordan Beck emerged as a key everyday catalyst, posting a team-best .214 average while chipping in 21 home runs, 66 RBIs, and riding an active seven-game hitting streak into the series. Catcher/outfielder Daulton Varsho supplies additional pop (25 home runs in just 300 plate appearances), while Nathan Lukes (team-high 29 multi-hit games) and Christian Meidroth (18 stolen bases) spark the bottom half of the order.

The Outlook

Tempe enters as the heavy favorite on paper behind their historic 114-win campaign and a deGrom-Peralta tandem that concedes virtually nothing. However, Columbus has proven all summer that it isn’t intimidated by the Tempers. If Eovaldi and Peterson can match zeroes early and hand leads over to Uribe, the Explorers have every tool needed to pull off an all-time postseason upset.

GAME #1 – Nathan Eovaldi 14-4  (1.60) vs. Freddy Peralta 22-4  (1.92)

Jose Ramirez delivered a masterclass at the plate, propelling the Tempe Tempers to an emphatic 8-2 victory over the Columbus Explorers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. The star third baseman was virtually unstoppable, putting together a perfect 4-for-4 afternoon featuring two doubles, a walk, two runs scored, and two RBIs to pace Tempe’s 11-hit onslaught.

Tempe set the tone early in the bottom of the second against Columbus starter Nathan Eovaldi. With one out, Jorge Polanco walked, and Wilyer Abreu beat out an infield single. Steven Kwan broke the scoreless tie with an RBI bloop double down the right-field line, scoring both Polanco and a hustling Abreu. Moments later, Ramirez extended the lead with a clutch, two-out infield single to score Kwan. Cal Raleigh followed immediately by roping a two-run double into the right-field corner, capping a decisive five-run frame that knocked Eovaldi off the mound and out of rhythm.

Ramirez struck again in the fourth, driving an RBI double to deep left off reliever Robert Garcia to plate George Springer before coming around to score on another Raleigh hit. Columbus attempted to rally behind an RBI knock from Jordan Beck in the fourth and a solo blast from Trent Grisham in the fifth, but Tempe starter Freddy Peralta shut down any further hope. Peralta struck out 10 batters over 6.1 dominant innings and allowed just two runs. The bullpen combination of Caleb Ferguson, Dennis Santana, Andrew Chafin, Isaac Mattson, Stephen Kolek, and Bryan King slammed the door shut to take the series opener.

TEM 8- COL 2

Win: Freddy Peralta 1-0  (2.84)
Loss: Nathan Eovaldi 0-1  (19.29)

GAME #2 – Shane Smith 15-9  (3.63) vs. Jacob deGrom 28-5  (1.65)

Trent Grisham staged an absolute power display to silence the home crowd, blasting two home runs to lead the Columbus Explorers to an 8-5 victory over the Tempe Tempers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series. Grisham anchored the Columbus offense from the leadoff spot, going 2-for-3 with two walks, two runs scored, and three RBIs while leading a stunning assault against 28-game winner Jacob deGrom.

After Luis Torrens had a potential home run robbed at the wall in the third inning, Grisham left no doubt moments later, crushing a solo blast to right-center field to give Columbus a 1-0 edge. The Explorers blew the contest wide open in a five-run fourth inning. Dansby Swanson led off with an infield hit and Ty France doubled him home. Daulton Varsho followed with a two-run shot to right, and after Jared Triolo walked and advanced on a bunt, Grisham delivered the knockout blow—a towering two-run homer that ended deGrom’s afternoon after just 3.1 innings and six earned runs allowed.

Columbus tacked on two more in the fifth on a two-run double by Torrens. That cushion proved plenty for starter Shane Smith, who earned the victory by limiting the Tempers to two runs on three hits across five solid innings. Brennan Bernardino provided 2.1 scoreless frames out of the bullpen to maintain the lead. Tempe mounted a late ninth-inning threat when pinch-hitter Marcell Ozuna launched a three-run homer off Shelby Miller, but Abner Uribe retired Steven Kwan and Alex Jackson to lock down the save and even the series at one game apiece.

COL 8 – TEM 5

Win: Shane Smith 1-0  (3.60)
Loss: Jacob deGrom 0-1  (16.20)

GAME #3 – Andrew Alvarez 4-2  (2.50) vs. Clarke Schmidt 5-2  (3.23)

Andrew Alvarez delivered the performance of his postseason career, baffling the Columbus Explorers across six brilliant innings to pitch the Tempe Tempers to a 4-0 shutout victory in Game 3 of the NLCS. The rookie southpaw allowed just one hit, walked none, hit two batters, and punched out five to neutralize Columbus’s lineup and seize a 2-1 series advantage.

The contest remained a razor-thin duel through the early frames between Alvarez and Columbus starter Clarke Schmidt. Tempe finally broke the scoreless stalemate in the fourth inning when designated hitter Vinnie Pasquantino crushed an opposite-field solo homer into the right-field seats. Schmidt settled in to limit the damage through six strong innings, but the Tempers blew the game wide open in the top of the eighth.

Jose Ramirez sparked the rally with a leadoff single off Robert Garcia, and Cal Raleigh followed by ripping a ground-rule double down the right-field line off Andrew Kittredge to place runners on second and third with nobody out. Columbus summoned left-handed reliever Steven Okert to face Freddie Freeman, but the former MVP made them pay instantly, turning on a pitch and depositing a three-run bomb inside the right-field foul pole to push Tempe’s lead to 4-0.

Alvarez turned the ball over to Tempe’s bullpen, which proved impenetrable. Andrés Muñoz dominated with 2.1 scoreless relief innings, striking out five of the eight batters he faced. After Caleb Ferguson retired Trent Grisham i

TEM 4 – COL 0

Win: Andrew Alvarez 1-0  (0.00)
Loss: Clarke Schmidt0-1  (1.50)

GAME #4 – Freddy Peralta 22-4  (1.92) vs. Nathan Eovaldi 14-4  (1.60)

Nathan Eovaldi threw a vintage postseason masterpiece, tossing a complete-game, two-hit shutout to lead the Columbus Explorers to a 3-0 win over the Tempe Tempers in Game 4 of the NLCS. After struggling in the series opener, the veteran right-hander rebounded with utter brilliance, striking out nine over nine spotless innings without allowing an extra-base hit past the first frame to knot the series at two games apiece.

Columbus jumped in front immediately in the bottom of the first inning against Tempe starter Freddy Peralta. Nathan Lukes laced a one-out double to the right-field gap and scored easily two batters later when Jordan Beck stroked an opposite-field single to right, providing Eovaldi all the run support he would ultimately need.

The game turned into a tense pitcher’s duel until the bottom of the sixth. Peralta walked Luis Torrens to lead off the frame, and the team was lifted for reliever Caleb Ferguson. Pinch-runner Oswald Peraza promptly stole second base, and after a groundout, Adam Frazier laced an RBI single into right field off southpaw Andrew Chafin to double the lead to 2-0. Beck followed with a clutch RBI double off Kenley Jansen, driving a ball off the left-center wall to score Frazier and make it 3-0.

Eovaldi took over the rest of the way, calmly extinguishing Tempe’s best threat in the seventh by striking out Freddie Freeman and retiring Vinnie Pasquantino and Jorge Polanco after walking two. He finished the afternoon by fanning Pasquantino on a foul tip in the ninth to seal the 90-game-score gem in just over two hours of brisk postseason action.

COL 3 – TEM 0

Win: Nathan Eovaldi 1-1  (3.97)
Loss: Freddy Peralta 1-1  (3.18)

GAME #5 – Jacob deGrom 28-5  (1.65) vs. Brayan Bello 8-10  (4.46)

George Springer broke out of a postseason slump with a thunderous blast, and Jacob deGrom rebounded with vintage poise to lift the Tempe Tempers to a 2-0 shutout over the Columbus Explorers in Game 5 of the NLCS. With the win, Tempe takes a 3-2 series lead and pushes the Explorers to the brink of elimination.

Tempe grabbed the lead immediately in the top of the first inning off Columbus starter Brayan Bello. With two outs and nobody on, Cal Raleigh drilled a solo home run near the right-field foul pole to put the Tempers up 1-0. Bello and the Columbus bullpen kept the game within reach, but Springer delivered the backbreaking blow in the seventh. After battling through a difficult series, Springer launched a two-out solo homer deep to left off Shelby Miller, clearing the fence despite a desperate leap by Daulton Varsho to double the cushion to 2-0.

On the mound, deGrom rebounded brilliantly from his Game 2 stumble. The ace right-hander worked out of immediate trouble in the first after a walk and single put runners on the corners, striking out Adam Frazier and Jordan Beck before inducing a comebacker to escape unscathed. DeGrom scattered three hits and two walks across five scoreless innings, striking out five to earn the victory.

Tempe’s bullpen executed flawlessly to secure the shutout. Bryan King recorded an out before Andrés Muñoz tossed two dominant frames with three strikeouts. When Nathan Lukes doubled in the eighth, Dennis Santana entered and stranded the runner, then worked around a ninth-inning walk to fan Jared Triolo for the final out and lock down a crucial five-out save.

TEM 2 – COL 0

Win: Jacob deGrom 1-1  (6.48)
Loss: Brayan Bello 0-1  (2.45)
Save: Dennis Santana #1

GAME #6 – Shane Smith 15-9  (3.63) vs. Freddy Peralta 22-4  (1.92)

Jose Ramirez capped a historic series by scoring the winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 14th inning, lifting the Tempe Tempers to an exhilarating 6-5 walk-off victory over the Columbus Explorers in Game 6 to capture the National League pennant. Ramirez was the heartbeat of Tempe’s offense throughout the marathon, finishing 3-for-7 with two doubles, two runs scored, and brilliant heads-up baserunning.

Tempe took early control in the second inning against Shane Smith when Freddie Freeman launched a three-run homer down the right-field line. Columbus answered in the third, stringing together an RBI knock from Luis Torrens and a two-run shot by Christian Meidroth to tie it 3-3. The Tempers immediately counterpunched in the bottom of the frame, loading the bases before a walk by Wilyer Abreu and a fielder’s choice from Steven Kwan pushed Tempe ahead 5-3.

Columbus refused to yield, tying the game 5-5 in the seventh when Jared Triolo roped a two-run double off Andrés Muñoz. From there, both bullpens engaged in a grueling battle of attrition. Dennis Santana gave Tempe three hitless frames in extras, while Stephen Kolek pitched a scoreless 14th to set the stage for the clincher.

In the bottom of the 14th, Ramirez ripped a one-out single off Andrew Kittredge, advanced to third on a Cal Raleigh single and an Ozzie Albies groundout, and then sprinted home for the series-clinching run when Tim Herrin uncorked a wild pitch past Torrens.

TEM 6 – COL 5  (14 Innings)

Win: Stephen Kolek 1-0  (4.15)
Loss: Andrew Kittredge 0-1  (6.75)

The Tempers wrested control of the series through suffocating run prevention, stringing together back-to-back shutouts behind rookie Andrew Alvarez‘s brilliant gem and a vintage rebound effort from ace Jacob deGrom. That pitching foundation set up an unforgettable Game 6 marathon in which both bullpens traded clutch outs deep into extra innings.

Throughout the six games, Jose Ramirez served as Tempe’s undeniable engine, batting a blistering .458 with 11 hits and six doubles. Fittingly, after Freddie Freeman provided early muscle with multiple clutch home runs across the series, Ramirez delivered the decisive postseason moment. Stepping up in the bottom of the 14th inning of the clincher, Ramirez singled, advanced on Cal Raleigh‘s base hit, and dashed home on a wild pitch to seal the walk-off victory, sending the Tempers to the Fall Classic and ending Columbus’s valiant upset bid.