Nolan Arenado’s diving stop might be one of the best plays of the season (GIF)

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The context has to matter, right? The Colorado Rockies were tied up in a 2-2 game with the heavy favorites to win the division, the Los Angeles Dodgers. The game was on the road. Starting pitcher Jordan Lyles had been outstanding up to that point; it only seemed fair that he might get propped up by some good defense rather than be charged with more earned runs.

The point is this: Nolan Arenado‘s diving stop mattered. It ended a rally in a key moment of a division game. Also, it was a freaking incredible play. Please observe:

If you watched the Dodgers’ telecast of this game with the great Vin Scully on the mic, his narrative circled back to this play again and again as the defining moment for the Rockies to eventually win it. Furthermore, this diving stop was presented as the play of the game rather than the go-ahead hit from Charlie Blackmon in extra innings.

It mattered that much. It was that great a play.

Nolan Arenado is just the best, am I right?