Arizona Diamondbacks: A Mid-Season Turnaround for the Ages
As recently as June 28, the Arizona Diamondbacks found themselves in a tough spot. Sporting a record of 39-43, they were under .500 and trailed the third wild-card spot by 3 1/2 games, with four teams ahead of them. They also lagged 11 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Fast forward to August 14, and the Diamondbacks are now perched atop the wild-card race, holding a six-game cushion for a postseason berth.
The Diamondbacks have been on a blistering run, amassing a 29-10 record since June 29. They have won nine of their last ten games and 17 of their last 20, with their three losses coming by a combined four runs. Remarkably, Arizona hasn't lost a series since late June and boasts a 12-0-1 record in 13 series since June 27.
Offensive Prowess and Key Player Performances
The turnaround has been bolstered by standout individual performances. Despite battling injuries, the team has found a way to win. 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, but new heroes emerged.
Corbin Carroll transformed his season dramatically. As of June 5, his batting line was a paltry .192/.278/.279 over 254 plate appearances. Over his next 243 plate appearances, Carroll improved to a .248/.336/.491 slash line. Moreover, Josh Bell has been on fire, hitting .300/.352/.660 with four home runs in just 14 games. Jake McCarthy has also been sensational, hitting .460/.477/.730 in his last 17 games. Reflecting on the team's surge, 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."
Pitching Depth and Versatility
The Diamondbacks have utilized 14 different starting pitchers this season, demonstrating both depth and versatility. The current rotation comprises Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Pfaadt.
Kelly, returning from an absence, held the Phillies to two runs over five innings in his latest start. Eduardo Rodriguez has made two starts since his season debut last week, showing promise. After Sewald's struggles, Justin Martinez stepped up as the closer and has been perfect in his three save opportunities. Meanwhile, A.J. Puk has been lights-out, giving up just one run while striking out 11 over 6 2/3 innings since joining the team.
Team Offense and Clutch Moments
Offensively, the Diamondbacks have been nearly unstoppable, hitting .305/.368/.565 over their last 20 games and averaging 6.90 runs per game in that span. Adrian Del Castillo provided a walk-off homer against the Phillies, while Alek Thomas came through with a clutch game-tying two-run single against the Blue Jays. The designated hitter platoon of Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson has been a revelation, combining for a .287/.379/.519 slash line with 26 home runs.
During this incredible 17-3 stretch, Arizona's postseason odds have soared from 40.5% to a staggering 91.5%, according to FanGraphs.
In a season full of ups and downs, the Arizona Diamondbacks have shown remarkable resilience and adaptability. With their current form, they have set themselves up not just for a wild-card spot, but potentially for a deep postseason run. The journey from being under .500 to leading the wild-card race exemplifies the unpredictability of baseball and the spirit of a team determined to defy the odds.