As recently as June 28, the Arizona Diamondbacks appeared to be on the verge of another unremarkable season. With a 39-43 record, they were under .500, trailing the third wild-card spot by 3 1/2 games, and lagging 11 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Fast forward to August 14, and the Diamondbacks' trajectory has taken a dramatic turn, now sitting atop the wild-card race with a six-game cushion for a postseason berth.
A Remarkable Turnaround
Since June 29, Arizona has ignited a spark, compiling an impressive 29-10 record. This resurgence included winning nine of their last ten games and 17 of their last 20, with their three losses separated by a combined four runs. Notably, they haven’t lost a series since late June, boasting a 12-0-1 record in 13 series since June 27. It’s a consistency that speaks volumes about their resilience and determination.
Particularly impressive is their ability to weather adversities. Christian Walker has been sidelined with an oblique strain since July 30, and Gabriel Moreno recently suffered a groin strain. Moreover, Paul Sewald was removed from the closer's role due to struggles. Despite these challenges, the Diamondbacks have shown remarkable depth and tenacity.
Stepping Up: Key Performers
Among the standout performers is Corbin Carroll, who transformed his season over the past couple of months. Carroll's batting line of .192/.278/.279 in 254 plate appearances as of June 5 has dramatically improved. He is now slashing .248/.336/.491 in his last 243 plate appearances, providing crucial offensive production when the team needed it most.
Jake McCarthy has also been on a tear, hitting .460/.477/.730 in his last 17 games. Reflecting on the team's success, McCarthy remarked, "It's been awesome. But, you know, we want to continue to improve on this and take this into September and the postseason."
Josh Bell has been another significant contributor, hitting .300/.352/.660 with four home runs in just 14 games. These individual performances have dovetailed with the team's overall offensive surge, with Arizona hitting .305/.368/.565 over the past 20 games and averaging 6.90 runs per game in that span.
Pitching Strengths
The Diamondbacks have utilized 14 different starting pitchers this season, but their current rotation has been formidable. It includes Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Pfaadt. Kelly, in particular, has made an impact by holding the Phillies to two runs over five innings during his return. Rodriguez has also made a notable contribution with two starts since his debut last week.
In the bullpen, Justin Martinez has stepped up admirably, converting all three save opportunities since taking over the closer's role. Additionally, A.J. Puk has been impressive, surrendering just one run while striking out 11 in 6 2/3 innings since joining the team.
Clutch Moments and Team Cohesion
Arizona’s rise has been punctuated by clutch performances in critical moments. Adrian Del Castillo hit a walk-off homer against the Phillies, and Alek Thomas delivered a game-tying two-run single against the Blue Jays, underlining the importance of situational hitting.
The designated hitter platoon of Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson has been nothing short of spectacular, hitting .287/.379/.519 with 26 home runs. This powerful tandem has frequently swung games in the Diamondbacks' favor.
Throughout this 17-3 stretch, Arizona’s postseason odds have surged from 40.5% to 91.5%, according to FanGraphs. The Diamondbacks have positioned themselves not just as playoff contenders but as a team capable of making a deep run.
The road to the postseason is never easy, and the Diamondbacks have demonstrated they possess the grit and the talent to navigate it. Their journey from a sub-.500 team to leaders in the wild-card race is a testament to their perseverance and adaptability, signaling a thrilling climax to the regular season.