Arizona Diamondbacks Surge to the Top in Wild-Card Race
As recently as June 28, the Arizona Diamondbacks' season seemed to be slipping through their fingers. Sporting a 39-43 record, they were 11 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West and trailed the third wild-card spot by 3 1/2 games. Four teams stood between them and postseason contention. Today, the Diamondbacks have ascended to the apex of the wild-card race, boasting a six-game cushion for a playoff berth.
Turning the Tide
The transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. Since June 29, Arizona has compiled a sterling 29-10 record. Over their last 20 games, they have won 17, dropping just three contests by a combined total of four runs. In fact, they haven't lost a series since late June. The numbers speak volumes: a 12-0-1 record in their last 13 series.
Leading this charge has been Corbin Carroll, who has markedly improved his performance. On June 5, he was hitting a dismal .192/.278/.279 in 254 plate appearances. Fast forward to today, and Carroll is slashing .248/.336/.491 in his last 243 plate appearances—a striking turnaround.
Josh Bell, a comparatively recent addition, has also made his presence felt. Over just 14 games, Bell is hitting .300/.352/.660, including four home runs. Jake McCarthy has been another hot hand, posting a red-hot .460/.477/.730 in his last 17 games. "It's been awesome," McCarthy said. "But, you know, we want to continue to improve on this and take this into September and the postseason."
Pitching Performances Bolster Ascent
The Diamondbacks' pitching staff has been a mix-and-match affair, utilizing 14 different starting pitchers throughout the season. Despite this, the current rotation has been remarkably effective. Merrill Kelly returned to the mound to hold the Phillies to two runs over five innings. Eduardo Rodriguez, a more recent addition, has made two solid starts since his season debut last week. Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Pfaadt form a rotation that has stabilized what was once a shaky pitching staff.
Additionally, the bullpen has found new life. Justin Martinez has seized the closer's role, going 3-for-3 in save opportunities. A.J. Puk, a recent acquisition, has been lights out, allowing just one run while striking out 11 batters in 6 2/3 innings.
Offensive Juggernaut
Offensively, the Diamondbacks have been hitting on all cylinders. Over their past 20 games, the team is slashing .305/.368/.565 and averaging an impressive 6.90 runs per game. Noteworthy contributions have come from across the lineup. Adrian Del Castillo delivered a walk-off homer against the Phillies, while Alek Thomas hit a crucial, game-tying two-run single against the Blue Jays. The designated hitter platoon of Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson has collectively slashed .287/.379/.519 with 26 home runs.
This offensive surge has propelled the Diamondbacks from a middling 40.5% chance of making the postseason to an impressive 91.5%, according to FanGraphs. During this 17-3 stretch, it has been a team-wide effort, making the Diamondbacks one of the most formidable teams heading into the final months of the season.
Injuries have not deterred the team either. Despite the sidelining of Christian Walker with an oblique strain since July 30, and Gabriel Moreno suffering a groin strain last week, the team has continued its winning ways.
Resilience Amid Adversity
Even changes in the closer role have not hampered the Diamondbacks. Paul Sewald had to be removed from the role due to struggles, yet the bullpen adapted quickly. Justin Martinez's perfect record in save situations and Puk's dominant pitching have fortified the team's late-game reliability.
As the Diamondbacks continue their string of successes, it’s clear that this is a team clicking on all fronts—hitting, pitching, and defense. "We want to continue to improve on this," says McCarthy, emphasizing that the team’s aspirations reach beyond the regular season. Whether they can sustain this level of play remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Arizona Diamondbacks are currently one of the hottest teams in baseball.