Diamondbacks’ Dramatic Turnaround Puts Them in Playoff Contention
As recently as June 28, the Arizona Diamondbacks appeared destined for a lackluster season, sitting at 39-43. They found themselves under .500 and trailing the third wild-card spot by 3 1/2 games with four teams in front of them. Additionally, they were 11 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. Fast forward to August 14, and this team now stands atop the wild-card race, holding a comfortable six-game cushion for a postseason berth.
The Diamondbacks’ resurgence has been nothing short of extraordinary, boasting a 29-10 record since June 29. This impressive stretch includes winning nine of their last ten games and 17 of their last 20. Their three losses in this period came by a combined four runs, showcasing how competitive they have been. Astoundingly, the team hasn’t lost a series since late June and has a 12-0-1 record in 13 series since June 27.
The collective effort and standout individual performances have fueled this turnaround. Christian Walker, sidelined with an oblique strain since July 30, and Gabriel Moreno, out with a groin strain last week, were significant losses. Paul Sewald’s removal from the closer’s role due to struggles also presented a challenge.
Corbin Carroll has been a revelation, recovering from a dismal batting line of .192/.278/.279 in 254 plate appearances as of June 5 to now slashing .248/.336/.491 in his last 243 plate appearances. Jake McCarthy has been another critical asset, hitting .460/.477/.730 in his last 17 games. "It's been awesome. But, you know, we want to continue to improve on this, and take this into September and the postseason," McCarthy stated, underscoring the team’s aspirations and drive.
Veteran Josh Bell has significantly contributed, hitting .300/.352/.660 with four home runs in just 14 games. The Diamondbacks have also utilized a whopping 14 different starting pitchers this season, but their current rotation is solid with Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Pfaadt.
Merrill Kelly notably held the Phillies to two runs over five innings during his return, while Eduardo Rodriguez has already made two starts since his season debut last week. Justin Martinez has excelled in high-pressure situations, going 3 for 3 in save opportunities since taking over the closer’s role. Additionally, A.J. Puk has been a force, surrendering just one run and striking out 11 in 6 2/3 innings since joining the team.
The offense has seen a renaissance, hitting .305/.368/.565 over the past 20 games and averaging an impressive 6.90 runs per game. This offensive surge has featured key moments from multiple players. Adrian Del Castillo delivered a walk-off homer against the Phillies, while Alek Thomas made clutch plays like his game-tying two-run single against the Blue Jays.
Furthermore, the designated hitter platoon of Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson has been remarkably effective, hitting .287/.379/.519 with 26 home runs. During the Diamondbacks’ recent 17-3 run, their postseason odds jumped dramatically, from 40.5% to an impressive 91.5%, according to FanGraphs.
This remarkable turnaround for the Diamondbacks exemplifies the unpredictable nature of baseball, where seasons can pivot dramatically in a matter of weeks. With continued performances like these, the Diamondbacks not only aim to secure their postseason berth but also to make a significant impact once there, echoing McCarthy’s sentiments about carrying this momentum forward.