The Arizona Diamondbacks: From Under .500 to Wild-Card Contenders
As recently as June 28, the Arizona Diamondbacks found themselves struggling with a 39-43 record. They were under .500 and trailed the third wild-card spot by 3 1/2 games, with four teams positioned ahead of them. The NL West leader, Los Angeles Dodgers, had pulled away, leading Arizona by a daunting 11 1/2 games. The Diamondbacks appeared to be facing an uphill battle. Yet, in just a matter of weeks, they've turned their season around and are now at the forefront of the wild-card race, holding a sizeable six-game cushion for a postseason berth.
A Resilient Turnaround
Since June 29, the Diamondbacks have boasted an impressive 29-10 record. This remarkable performance is highlighted by the fact that they've won nine of their last ten games and 17 of their last 20. The team hasn't lost a series since late June, posting a 12-0-1 record in their last 13 series since June 27. Their few setbacks have been narrow, with their three losses coming by a combined four runs. This level of consistency and determination is rare and has propelled them into serious playoff contention.
Key Injuries and Player Performances
Despite their success, the Diamondbacks have not been without challenges. Key players like Christian Walker have been sidelined with an oblique strain since July 30, and Gabriel Moreno recently suffered a groin strain. Additionally, Paul Sewald had to be removed from the closer's role due to performance struggles. Despite these setbacks, new stars have emerged and stepped up in crucial moments.
Corbin Carroll is one of the standout players in this narrative. Carroll, who had a dismal batting line of .192/.278/.279 in his first 254 plate appearances, has significantly improved to .248/.336/.491 in his last 243 plate appearances. Meanwhile, other players like Josh Bell and Jake McCarthy have also delivered exceptional performances. Bell is batting .300/.352/.660 with four home runs in just 14 games, and McCarthy is hitting an astounding .460/.477/.730 in his last 17 games.
Pitching Rotation Adjustments
Arizona has shown depth in its lineup, using 14 different starting pitchers this season. The current rotation features Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Pfaadt. Kelly notably held the Phillies to just two runs over five innings in his return, while Rodriguez has added two valuable starts since debuting last week. Meanwhile, Justin Martinez has proven reliable, going 3 for 3 in save opportunities since assuming the closer's role. A.J. Puk has also excelled, surrendering just one run while striking out 11 in his 6 2/3 innings since joining the team.
Offensive Prowess
The Diamondbacks' offensive lineup has also thrived, hitting .305/.368/.565 over the past 20 games and averaging an impressive 6.90 runs per game during this stretch. Momentous plays have been a hallmark of their success. Adrian Del Castillo stole the spotlight with a walk-off homer against the Phillies, and Alek Thomas delivered a game-tying two-run single against the Blue Jays. Additionally, the Designated Hitter (DH) platoon of Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson has been nothing short of spectacular, hitting .287/.379/.519 with 26 home runs.
Optimism and Determination
The team's outstanding performance has not gone unnoticed. During their recent 17-3 stretch, Arizona's postseason odds surged from 40.5% to an impressive 91.5%, according to FanGraphs. This remarkable turnaround has significantly boosted the team's morale and prospects as they look to maintain this momentum for the rest of the season.
Reflecting on the team's journey, Jake McCarthy expressed, "It's been awesome. But, you know, we want to continue to improve on this, and take this into September and the postseason." This sentiment encapsulates the spirit of the Diamondbacks as they aim to solidify their position and make a deep run in the playoffs.
In a span of just a few weeks, the Arizona Diamondbacks have moved from mediocrity to being a prime contender in the wild-card race. The blend of emerging talent, pivotal plays, and unwavering resilience underscores an exciting narrative of transformation and determination. As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the Diamondbacks can sustain their incredible form and make a formidable impact in the postseason.