Arizona Diamondbacks: A Turnaround for the Ages
As recently as June 28, the Arizona Diamondbacks found themselves in a precarious position. With a less-than-ideal 39-43 record, they were under .500 and trailed the third wild-card spot by 3 1/2 games, with four teams ahead of them. Moreover, they lagged far behind, 11 1/2 games, behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Fast forward to August 14, and the Diamondbacks sit atop the wild-card race, holding a commanding six-game cushion for a postseason berth. Their remarkable turnaround is nothing short of astounding.
Incredible Mid-Season Surge
Since June 29, Arizona has posted a staggering 29-10 record. The Diamondbacks have bolstered their postseason credentials with consistency, winning nine of their last ten games and 17 of their last 20. Their three losses came by a combined four runs, a testament to their competitive edge. The team hasn’t lost a series since late June, securing a 12-0-1 record in 13 series since June 27.
Several players have significantly contributed to this surge. Christian Walker has been sidelined with an oblique strain since July 30, and Gabriel Moreno suffered a groin strain last week. Despite these setbacks, the team has continued to rally. Initially struggling with a .192/.278/.279 batting line in 254 plate appearances as of June 5, Corbin Carroll is now slashing .248/.336/.491 in his last 243 plate appearances.
Batter Brilliance
Josh Bell has been a revelation, hitting .300/.352/.660 with four home runs in just 14 games. Jake McCarthy is on a tear, boasting a .460/.477/.730 line in his last 17 games. These offensive surges have been crucial to Arizona’s resurgence. The Diamondbacks' offense has collectively hit .305/.368/.565 over the past 20 games, averaging an impressive 6.90 runs per game over this stretch. Adrian Del Castillo and Alek Thomas have each had their moments of heroism, delivering clutch performances against the Phillies and the Blue Jays, respectively.
The designated hitter platoon of Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson has also been effective, hitting .287/.379/.519 with 26 home runs. These contributions across the board underscore the depth and resilience of the lineup.
Pitching Prowess
The Diamondbacks have employed 14 different starting pitchers this season. Currently, the rotation is anchored by Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Pfaadt. Kelly made a successful return by holding the Phillies to two runs over five innings. Eduardo Rodriguez, a recent addition, has provided stability with two strong starts since his season debut last week. Additionally, Justin Martinez has stepped into the closer’s role seamlessly, converting all three of his save opportunities. A.J. Puk has been dominant, surrendering just one run while striking out 11 in 6 2/3 innings since joining the team.
Eyes on the Prize
During a standout 17-3 stretch, the Diamondbacks' postseason odds jumped from 40.5% to an impressive 91.5%, according to FanGraphs. The clubhouse sentiment reflects a focus on capitalizing on this incredible momentum. Jake McCarthy expressed the team's mindset succinctly: "It's been awesome. But, you know, we want to continue to improve on this, and take this into September and the postseason."
The Diamondbacks’ journey from potential also-rans to postseason front-runners is a testament to their grit, adaptability, and unyielding effort. If they maintain this level of performance, they will be a formidable force come October.