Arizona Diamondbacks: From Struggles to Emerging Contenders
As recently as June 28, the Arizona Diamondbacks faced what seemed to be an insurmountable challenge. 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 and a daunting 11 1/2 game deficit behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Fast forward to August 14, and the Diamondbacks find themselves atop the wild-card race, holding a six-game cushion for a postseason berth.
A Dramatic Turnaround
The Diamondbacks have posted a remarkable 29-10 record since June 29. Winning nine of their last ten games and 17 of their last 20, the team’s three losses during this period came by a combined four runs. They haven't lost a series since late June, boasting a 12-0-1 record in 13 series since June 27.
This resurgence comes despite significant setbacks. Christian Walker has been sidelined with an oblique strain since July 30, and Gabriel Moreno suffered a groin strain last week. Paul Sewald was removed from the closer's role due to struggles, yet the team’s resilience has shone through.
Key Players Stepping Up
Corbin Carroll exemplifies the turnaround. On June 5, he was struggling with a batting line of .192/.278/.279 in 254 plate appearances. Since then, Carroll has improved his stats to .248/.336/.491 in his last 243 plate appearances. Similarly, Josh Bell's performance has been noteworthy, hitting .300/.352/.660 with four home runs in just 14 games. Jake McCarthy has also been instrumental, hitting .460/.477/.730 in his last 17 games.
The Diamondbacks have utilized an impressive 14 different starting pitchers this season. The current rotation now features Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Pfaadt. Kelly’s return saw him holding the Phillies to two runs over five innings, and Rodriguez has contributed two starts since his season debut last week.
Additionally, Justin Martinez has seamlessly transitioned into the closer's role, successfully converting three out of three save opportunities. A.J. Puk has been dominant, surrendering just one run while striking out 11 in 6 2/3 innings since joining the team.
Offensive Prowess
The Diamondbacks' offensive stats are nothing short of spectacular, hitting .305/.368/.565 over the past 20 games and averaging 6.90 runs per game. Key moments, like Adrian Del Castillo's walk-off homer against the Phillies and Alek Thomas’ clutch game-tying two-run single against the Blue Jays, highlight the team’s depth and capability.
The designated hitter platoon of Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson has also been highly effective, posting a combined .287/.379/.519 batting line with 26 home runs. These contributions are reflected in Arizona’s phenomenal 17-3 stretch, during which their postseason odds jumped from 40.5% to 91.5%, according to FanGraphs.
"It's been awesome. But, you know, we want to continue to improve on this, and take this into September and the postseason," said Jake McCarthy, encapsulating the team's hunger and determination to build on their recent success.
Looking Ahead
Although the path to success has been fraught with challenges, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ remarkable transformation from under-.500 strugglers to playoff contenders is a testament to their resilience and talent. If their current form continues, they appear set not just for a postseason berth but potentially a deep run come October.