Diamondbacks On a Meteoric Rise: From the Brink to the Pinnacle
Not too long ago, the Arizona Diamondbacks found themselves in a troubling position. On June 28, the team sat at a discouraging 39-43 record, trailing the third wild-card spot by 3 1/2 games. They were a staggering 11 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, a gap that seemed insurmountable.
Fast forward to August 14, and the Diamondbacks have flipped the script dramatically. They now find themselves perched atop the wild-card race, holding a comfortable six-game cushion for a postseason berth. With a sizzling 29-10 record since June 29, Arizona has become one of the hottest teams in Major League Baseball.
A Turnaround To Remember
The Diamondbacks’ resurgence has been nothing short of remarkable. Winning nine of their last ten games and an impressive 17 of their last 20, the team has managed to breach the barriers that once held them back. Even in defeat, they have proven to be tough competitors—their three losses during this stretch came by a combined mere four runs. In fact, they haven't lost a series since late June, boasting a 12-0-1 record in their last 13 series since June 27.
Overcoming Adversity
Remarkably, the Diamondbacks achieved this despite several key injuries and lineup changes. Christian Walker has been sidelined with an oblique strain since July 30, and Gabriel Moreno suffered a groin strain last week. Even Paul Sewald had to be removed from the closer's role due to struggles. Yet, the team adapted and thrived.
Jake McCarthy epitomized the team’s resilience. Reflecting on their current run, McCarthy said, "It's been awesome. But, you know, we want to continue to improve on this, and take this into September and the postseason."
Individual Performances Shine
Several Diamondbacks have stepped up, pushing the team forward. Corbin Carroll's batting transformation has been pivotal. Once with a pedestrian line of .192/.278/.279 in his first 254 plate appearances, Carroll is now slashing a robust .248/.336/.491 over his last 243 plate appearances.
Josh Bell has also been on fire, hitting .300/.352/.660 with four home runs in just 14 games. Meanwhile, Jake McCarthy has been nothing short of spectacular, boasting a .460/.477/.730 average in his last 17 games.
The DH platoon of Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson has further bolstered the offensive lineup, hitting .287/.379/.519 with a combined 26 home runs.
Even with 14 different starting pitchers used this season, the current rotation—including Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Pfaadt—has proven exceptionally reliable. Kelly, in particular, has been a steadying force, holding the Phillies to two runs over five innings upon his return.
New Faces, New Roles
Fresh faces have also made a significant impact. Eduardo Rodriguez has quickly acclimated, contributing two starts since his season debut last week. Stepping into the closer's role, Justin Martinez has been a rock, converting all three save opportunities cleanly. Additionally, A.J. Puk has provided solid relief, surrendering just one run while striking out 11 over 6 2/3 innings since joining the team.
Unstoppable Offense
The collective offensive performance has been nothing short of extraordinary. Over the past 20 games, the Diamondbacks have posted an impressive .305/.368/.565 batting line. The team is averaging a whopping 6.90 runs per game during this stretch, underlining their formidable offensive prowess.
Moments of clutch hitting have punctuated their run. Adrian Del Castillo delivered a walk-off homer against the Phillies, and Alek Thomas hit a clutch game-tying two-run single against the Blue Jays.
Eyes on the Prize
The Diamondbacks’ impressive 17-3 stretch has dramatically boosted their postseason prospects. According to FanGraphs, their odds of reaching the postseason have skyrocketed from 40.5% to 91.5%. Such an uptick speaks volumes about their relentless drive and growing momentum.
Jake McCarthy’s hopeful sentiment encapsulates the team's collective mindset: "It's been awesome. But, you know, we want to continue to improve on this, and take this into September and the postseason." Riding high on an electrifying wave of success, the Diamondbacks are indeed looking like a force to be reckoned with come October.