After Toppling Kobe Bryant’s Favorites, Diamondbacks Star Aims for Michael Jordan-Like Postseason Magic Against Red Hot Phillies

The Arizona Diamondbacks are undefeated but they may be about to meet their match. Going up against the red-hot Philadelphia Phillies, the team is itching for its first World Series since 2001. With an underwhelming 84-78 record, the D-Backs have emerged as underdogs many are rooting for. In a shocking triumph, Arizona defeated the NL West champs the Los Angeles Dodgers. But this story has a strange NBA twist.

The Dodgers were surprisingly swept, mainly due to severe underperformance in both the hitting and pitching departments. Incidentally, the LA team was a huge favorite of the late basketball icon, Kobe Bryant. But there’s a D-Backs pitcher invoking yet another NBA legend. To help him along his journey on the mound, Zac Gallen is invoking some MJ magic.

Zac Gallen Sports UNC Michael Jordan Jersey With ’23’

Zac Gallen is a huge Michael Jordan fan and wears the same jersey number as him – 23. Yesterday, the 28-year-old was spotted wearing MJ’s iconic shirt from his University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill days. Bright blue in color, the front displays the name of the school, while the back shows the name and number. It seems like Gallen may be looking for some good luck from his favorite athlete, who is famous for his consistent playoff performance.

With the Arizona Diamondbacks, the pitcher has been a dominant presence on the mound. Given his team’s two strong starts this October, the playoff run has been great. October 17th will probably be the biggest match-up of his five-year MLB career against the Phillies.

Citizens Bank Park, known for its loud crowd, will be rooting for the home team for another World Series run. 2022 was unfortunately lost to the Houston Astros but 2023 is moving in the right direction. Interestingly, Zac Gallen used to be one of the fans rooting for the Phillies once upon a time.

Gallen and Walker Were Huge Supporters of Red October

Zac Gallen grew up a mere 15 minutes away from Citizens Bank Park, while the D-Backs’ first baseman Christian Walker went to school in nearby Norristown, Pennsylvania. Both were avid fans of Philadelphia’s sports teams, especially the Phillies. On Tuesday, Gallen’s many friends and family members will sit down to root for him against the team they have supported all their lives.

READ MORE: Arizona Diamondbacks Star Gushes as 13x NBA All-Star Wears His Jersey While Watching Them Play Live

As for Walker, the slugger the 2008 World Series parade and loved Chase Utley and Ryan Howard growing up. “What I remember the most about that time is just the energy, the energy of the city,” he told USA Today. “It’s what you see on TV when you watch these games. It’s one of the few stadiums and atmospheres you can feel the excitement through the TV.”

What an interesting match-up for the lifelong Philly fans, to play against their childhood favorites with the intention of defeating them.

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