The Arizona Diamondbacks: From Struggles to Strength
As recently as June 28, the Arizona Diamondbacks found themselves in a precarious position. Sitting at 39-43, they were under .500 and trailed the third wild-card spot by 3 1/2 games, with four teams ahead of them. Moreover, they lagged a daunting 11 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, seemingly out of serious playoff contention.
Fast forward to August 14, and the narrative has dramatically shifted. The Diamondbacks now stand atop the wild-card race, holding a substantial six-game cushion for a postseason berth. This turnaround is rooted in an impressive 29-10 record since June 29, including nine wins in their last ten games and 17 of their last 20. The team’s resilience is highlighted by the fact that their three losses came by a combined total of just four runs.
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Perhaps most remarkably, Arizona has achieved this while contending with significant injuries. Christian Walker has been sidelined with an oblique strain since July 30, and Gabriel Moreno suffered a groin strain last week. Additionally, struggles forced Paul Sewald out of the closer role. Despite these setbacks, the Diamondbacks have not lost a series since late June, boasting a 12-0-1 record in 13 series since June 27.
Key players have stepped up to fill the gaps. Corbin Carroll’s transformation has been nothing short of spectacular. He had a batting line of .192/.278/.279 in 254 plate appearances as of June 5. Since then, he's slashing .248/.336/.491 in his latest 243 plate appearances. Meanwhile, Josh Bell is hitting .300/.352/.660 with four home runs in just 14 games, and Jake McCarthy is scorching hot, hitting .460/.477/.730 over his last 17 games.
Strength in the Rotation and Bullpen
The Diamondbacks have used 14 different starting pitchers this season, showcasing their depth and adaptability. The current rotation includes reliable arms like Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Pfaadt. Kelly, making a successful return, held the Phillies to two runs over five innings. Rodriguez has already contributed two starts since his season debut last week.
In the bullpen, Justin Martinez has been perfect in save opportunities since taking over the closer role, going 3 for 3. Furthermore, A.J. Puk has surrendered just one run while striking out 11 batters in 6 2/3 innings since joining the team, strengthening the back end of the bullpen.
The Offense is Clicking
The Diamondbacks’ offense has been unstoppable, hitting .305/.368/.565 over the past 20 games and averaging a sizzling 6.90 runs per game. Contributions have come from all around the lineup. Adrian Del Castillo hit a walk-off homer against the Phillies, while Alek Thomas delivered a clutch game-tying two-run single against the Blue Jays. The designated hitter platoon of Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson is also paying dividends, combining for a .287/.379/.519 slash line with 26 home runs.
As Jake McCarthy eloquently summed up the team’s recent surge, "It's been awesome. But, you know, we want to continue to improve on this, and take this into September and the postseason." This tenacious mindset is reflective of a team eager to not just make the playoffs but to make a deep run.
During their recent 17-3 stretch, the Diamondbacks' postseason odds have skyrocketed from 40.5% to an impressive 91.5%, according to FanGraphs. With their eyes firmly on the prize, Arizona has effectively positioned themselves as a formidable contender in the National League.
The turnaround of the Arizona Diamondbacks is a testament to their resilience, depth, and never-give-up attitude. From the front office to the players, the organization has navigated through obstacles, relying on both established stars and surprising contributors. As they continue to build on this momentum, the Diamondbacks remain a team to watch closely as the postseason approaches.