Arizona Diamondbacks' Meteoric Rise: From Under .500 to Leading the Wild-Card Race
As recently as June 28, the Arizona Diamondbacks found themselves in a precarious position. Sporting a 39-43 record, they were under .500 and trailed the third wild-card spot by 3 1/2 games, with four teams standing in their way. They also lagged a staggering 11 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Fast forward to August 14, and the landscape couldn’t look more different: the Diamondbacks are now perched atop the wild-card race with a six-game cushion for a postseason berth.
Their transformation has been nothing short of remarkable, boasting a 29-10 record since June 29. This stretch has included winning nine of their last ten games and 17 of their last 20, with their three losses coming by a mere four combined runs. Notably, the team hasn't lost a series since late June, maintaining a stellar 12-0-1 record over 13 series since June 27.
However, this success hasn’t come without its challenges. Key players like Christian Walker have been sidelined with an oblique strain since July 30, and catchers like Gabriel Moreno have also faced injuries, with Moreno suffering a groin strain last week. The Diamondbacks also had to make strategic adjustments, such as removing Paul Sewald from the closer's role due to struggles.
Key Players Stepping Up
In the face of these setbacks, various players have stepped up, propelling the team forward. Corbin Carroll, who had a disappointing start to the season with a batting line of .192/.278/.279 in his first 254 plate appearances, has found his groove, now posting an impressive .248/.336/.491 in his last 243 plate appearances. Meanwhile, Josh Bell has emerged as a formidable force, hitting .300/.352/.660 with four home runs in just 14 games, and Jake McCarthy's astounding performance has garnered attention. McCarthy is currently hitting .460/.477/.730 over 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 commented, reflecting the team's collective ambition and drive.
The Diamondbacks’ depth in their pitching rotation has also been crucial. Despite using 14 different starting pitchers this season, their current rotation featuring Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Pfaadt has stabilized the team. Merrill Kelly, in particular, held the Phillies to two runs over five innings in a remarkable return, while Eduardo Rodriguez has made two solid starts since his season debut last week. The bullpen has also seen new saviors, with Justin Martinez going 3 for 3 in save opportunities since taking over the closer’s role and A.J. Puk striking out 11 while surrendering just one run in 6 2/3 innings since joining the team.
Offensive Prowess and Clutch Moments
Offensively, the Diamondbacks have been nothing short of spectacular, hitting .305/.368/.565 over the past 20 games while averaging 6.90 runs per game. This resurgence has seen highlight moments such as Adrian Del Castillo's walk-off homer against the Phillies and Alek Thomas's clutch game-tying two-run single against the Blue Jays. The designated hitter platoon of Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson has been particularly potent, collectively hitting .287/.379/.519 with 26 home runs.
During their recent 17-3 stretch, Arizona's postseason odds dramatically jumped from 40.5% to a staggering 91.5%, according to FanGraphs. This rapid ascent in performance and standing has made the Diamondbacks one of baseball's most compelling stories this season.
As the season progresses, the Diamondbacks will aim to maintain their formidable form and secure a postseason berth. Their blend of young talent, strategic adjustments, and resilient mindset have all played pivotal roles in their success. With their sights set on September and beyond, the Arizona Diamondbacks are proving that they have the mettle to compete at the highest level.