Arizona Diamondbacks Surge in Wild-Card Race
Amid the sweltering heat of an Arizona summer, the Arizona Diamondbacks have experienced a scorching run of their own on the baseball diamond. As recently as June 28, the team was struggling below .500, sporting a 39-43 record. At that time, they lagged 3 1/2 games behind for the third wild-card spot with four teams ahead of them, and were a daunting 11 1/2 games behind the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.
However, the narrative has dramatically changed. By August 14, the Diamondbacks not only stand atop the wild-card race but also enjoy a comfortable six-game cushion for a postseason berth. This turnaround can be attributed to their impressive 29-10 record since June 29, which has included winning nine of their last ten games and 17 of their last 20, with their three losses coming by a combined four runs.
Consistency has been key for Arizona—they have not lost a series since late June, boasting a stellar 12-0-1 record in 13 series from June 27 onwards. This remarkable run demonstrates the team's collective resilience and ability to deliver when it matters most.
Although the team's success is a collective effort, several individual performances have played crucial roles. Despite Christian Walker being sidelined with an oblique strain since July 30, and Gabriel Moreno suffering a recent groin strain, the Diamondbacks have found ways to win. Closer Paul Sewald's struggles led to a change, yet Justin Martinez has seamlessly stepped into the role, securing three saves in three opportunities.
One standout player is Corbin Carroll, who had been underperforming with a .192/.278/.279 batting line in 254 plate appearances as of June 5. Carroll has turned his season around, now slashing .248/.336/.491 in his last 243 plate appearances, contributing significantly to the team's offensive resurgence.
Another key contributor is Josh Bell, hitting .300/.352/.660 with four home runs in just 14 games. Jake McCarthy is also in the spotlight, posting a remarkable .460/.477/.730 over his last 17 games. These offensive gains have been critical in propelling the team forward.
The starting rotation has seen its share of variability, utilizing 14 different pitchers this season. Currently, the rotation features Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Pfaadt. Kelly's performance against the Phillies, where he allowed only two runs over five innings, along with Eduardo Rodriguez's contributions in his two starts since debuting last week, have been instrumental.
Further bolstering the bullpen, A.J. Puk has been impressive since joining the team, surrendering just one run while striking out 11 in 6 2/3 innings. Such key performances have provided essential stability for the team.
Offensively, the Diamondbacks have been on a tear, hitting an impressive .305/.368/.565 over the past 20 games, and averaging 6.90 runs per game during the same stretch. Crucial moments have included Adrian Del Castillo's walk-off homer against the Phillies and Alek Thomas's clutch game-tying two-run single against the Blue Jays.
The designated hitter platoon of Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson has also been noteworthy, hitting a combined .287/.379/.519 with 26 home runs, providing consistent power at the plate.
This 17-3 stretch has not only boosted team morale but significantly increased their postseason odds. According to FanGraphs, Arizona's chances of making the playoffs skyrocketed from 40.5% to 91.5% during this period.
Reflecting on the team's success, Jake McCarthy remarked, "It's been awesome. But, you know, we want to continue to improve on this, and take this into September and the postseason." This ambition and drive are indicative of the Diamondbacks' mindset as they eye a deep postseason run.
The Diamondbacks' resurgence has indeed been a sight to behold, turning doubters into believers and positioning themselves as formidable contenders in the postseason race. As they continue to build on their success, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Arizona can sustain this remarkable momentum into the fall.