As recently as June 28, the Arizona Diamondbacks were a team on the ropes. With a 39-43 record, they found themselves trailing the third wild-card spot by 3 1/2 games, with four teams ahead of them. The Los Angeles Dodgers had built an imposing 11 1/2 game lead in the NL West. At that moment, postseason aspirations seemed like a distant dream for Arizona.
Fast forward a few weeks, and the Diamondbacks have flipped the script in dramatic fashion. As of August 14, they stand atop the wild-card race, boasting a six-game cushion for a postseason berth. Their resurgence is nothing short of remarkable, characterized by a 29-10 record since June 29, including a breathtaking nine wins out of their last ten games and 17 out of their last 20. During this astonishing run, their three losses have come by a mere four runs combined. Plainly put, the Diamondbacks have not lost a series since late June, compiling a 12-0-1 record in 13 series since June 27.
This turnaround has been spearheaded by contributions from familiar faces and surprising new heroes alike. However, the Diamondbacks have accomplished this despite significant injuries. Christian Walker has been sidelined with an oblique strain since July 30, and Gabriel Moreno suffered a groin strain last week. The closer's role has also seen a change, with Paul Sewald being removed due to struggles. The team’s depth has been tested, but they have responded admirably.
Corbin Carroll's resurgence has been particularly noteworthy. Coming off a dismal .192/.278/.279 batting line in 254 plate appearances as of June 5, Carroll has since turned the corner, slashing .248/.336/.491 in his last 243 plate appearances. Josh Bell has also been a revelation, hitting .300/.352/.660 with four home runs in just 14 games, while Jake McCarthy has posted an eye-popping .460/.477/.730 line 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 said, encapsulating the team’s renewed spirit.
On the pitching side, the Diamondbacks have had to utilize 14 different starting pitchers this season. Yet, the current rotation of Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Pfaadt has found a way to stabilize the pitching staff. Kelly marked his return by holding the Phillies to two runs over five innings. Rodriguez, meanwhile, has made two solid starts since his season debut last week. Emerging as a surprise closing option, Justin Martinez is 3 for 3 in save opportunities since taking over, and A.J. Puk has been outstanding, surrendering just one run while striking out 11 in 6 2/3 innings since joining the team.
The Diamondbacks' lineup has been equally impressive. Over the past 20 games, the team is hitting at a torrid pace of .305/.368/.565, averaging an impressive 6.90 runs per game. Key moments from Adrian Del Castillo, who blasted a walk-off homer against the Phillies, and Alek Thomas, who delivered a clutch game-tying two-run single against the Blue Jays, have spurred the team forward. The DH platoon of Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson has also been highly productive, hitting .287/.379/.519 with 26 home runs.
What was once a team fading into obscurity has now become one of the hottest squads in baseball. During their stunning 17-3 stretch, Arizona's postseason odds have surged from 40.5% to an incredible 91.5%, according to FanGraphs.
The Diamondbacks' story is one of resilience, depth, and a driven quest for success. They have evolved from also-rans to front-runners in the wild-card race, re-energizing their season and their fans’ hopes. With a few weeks left in the regular season, Arizona is riding high and primed for the potential rigors of postseason baseball.