Diamondbacks' Meteoric Ascent: From Under .500 to Playoff Contenders
As recently as June 28, the Arizona Diamondbacks found themselves in a precarious situation. With a 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 11 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Fast forward to August 14, and the Diamondbacks now stand atop the wild-card race, holding a six-game cushion for a postseason berth.
Astonishing Turnaround
Since June 29, Arizona has posted an impressive 29-10 record. This includes winning nine of their last ten games and 17 of their last 20. Remarkably, their three losses during this stretch came by a combined margin of just four runs. The team hasn't lost a series since late June, boasting a 12-0-1 record in 13 series since June 27.
Key player performances have significantly contributed to this turnaround. Despite setbacks such as Christian Walker being sidelined with an oblique strain since July 30 and Gabriel Moreno suffering a groin strain last week, the team has managed to maintain momentum. Additionally, Corbin Carroll's resurgence has been pivotal. Carroll, who had a batting line of .192/.278/.279 in 254 plate appearances as of June 5, is now slashing .248/.336/.491 in his last 243 plate appearances.
Individual Performances Shine
Other players have also stepped up. Josh Bell is hitting an impressive .300/.352/.660 with four home runs in just 14 games, while Jake McCarthy has been on fire, hitting .460/.477/.730 in his last 17 games. This is in addition to the Diamondbacks’ offense collectively hitting .305/.368/.565 over the past 20 games, averaging 6.90 runs per game during this span.
The pitching staff has seen significant contributions as well, despite using 14 different starting pitchers this season. The current rotation includes Merrill Kelly, who held the Phillies to two runs over five innings during his return, as well as Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Pfaadt. Eduardo Rodriguez, in particular, has been a recent addition, contributing two starts since his season debut last week.
Closing Games with Confidence
The Diamondbacks have also stabilized their bullpen. Justin Martinez is 3 for 3 in save opportunities since taking over the closer's role, and A.J. Puk has surrendered only one run while striking out 11 in 6 2/3 innings since joining the team. Such performances have fortified the team’s ability to close games effectively, which has been crucial during their recent burst of success.
Clutch Moments and Rising Stars
Arizona has enjoyed numerous clutch moments during their recent run. Adrian Del Castillo hit a walk-off homer against the Phillies, while Alek Thomas delivered a game-tying two-run single against the Blue Jays. The designated hitter platoon of Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson is also noteworthy, hitting .287/.379/.519 with 26 home runs, providing consistent offensive output.
During this 17-3 stretch, the Diamondbacks' postseason odds have dramatically improved. According to FanGraphs, Arizona's postseason odds jumped from 40.5% to 91.5%. The remarkable turnaround hasn't gone unnoticed by the players. "It's been awesome. But, you know, we want to continue to improve on this, and take this into September and the postseason," remarked Jake McCarthy.
The Arizona Diamondbacks' resurgence is a testament to resilience, timely performances, and strategic adjustments. As the season progresses, the team is poised to carry this momentum into September and beyond, aiming for a deep postseason run.