Arizona Diamondbacks' Remarkable Turnaround Continues to Capture Attention
As recently as June 28, the Arizona Diamondbacks were languishing with a 39-43 record, trailing the third wild-card spot by 3 1/2 games with four teams ahead of them, and 11 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Yet, fast forward to August 14, and the Diamondbacks are sitting atop the wild-card race, enjoying a six-game cushion for a postseason berth. This remarkable turnaround has been nothing short of spectacular.
The Diamondbacks’ resurgence is highlighted by an impressive 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. Moreover, the team hasn't lost a series since late June, boasting a 12-0-1 record in 13 series since June 27. In short, Arizona's consistency and winning streak have transformed their fortunes dramatically.
Even with injuries to key players like Christian Walker, sidelined with an oblique strain since July 30, and Gabriel Moreno, who suffered a groin strain last week, the Diamondbacks have found ways to win. Additionally, Paul Sewald’s struggles led to his removal from the closer's role, yet the team adapted, as shown by Justin Martinez going 3 for 3 in save opportunities since taking over.
Key Players Stepping Up
Corbin Carroll's performance epitomizes the team’s resurgence. As of June 5, Carroll had a batting line of .192/.278/.279 in 254 plate appearances. However, since then, he has improved significantly, now slashing .248/.336/.491 in his last 243 plate appearances. Behind Carroll, other players like Josh Bell and Jake McCarthy have also delivered crucial contributions. Bell is hitting .300/.352/.660 with four home runs in just 14 games, while McCarthy is posting a blazing .460/.477/.730 in his last 17 games.
The Diamondbacks’ pitching staff has been equally pivotal. Despite using 14 different starting pitchers this season, the current rotation of Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Pfaadt has held strong. Kelly notably held the Phillies to two runs over five innings during his return, and Rodriguez has added two solid starts since his season debut last week. Furthermore, A.J. Puk has been exceptional, surrendering just one run while striking out 11 in 6 2/3 innings since joining the team.
Offensive Prowess
Arizona’s offense has been firing on all cylinders, hitting .305/.368/.565 over the past 20 games and averaging 6.90 runs per game during this period. This offensive explosion has seen crucial moments, such as Adrian Del Castillo’s walk-off homer against the Phillies and Alek Thomas’s clutch game-tying two-run single against the Blue Jays.
Additionally, the designated hitter platoon of Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson has been productive, combining for a .287/.379/.519 line with 26 home runs. Their consistency and power at the plate have added depth and resilience to Arizona's lineup.
During this electrifying 17-3 stretch, the Diamondbacks’ postseason odds have skyrocketed from 40.5% to an astounding 91.5%, according to FanGraphs. This incredible leap underscores just how far the team has come in a short span, buoyed by their unyielding determination and remarkable cohesiveness.
Focus on Improvement
Despite their impressive performance, the Diamondbacks are not resting on their laurels. "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, reflecting the team's mindset moving forward.
The turnaround by the Arizona Diamondbacks is a testament to their resilience, teamwork, and exceptional play on both sides of the ball. As they look to carry their momentum into the crucial closing months of the season and the playoffs, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if this Cinderella story can conclude with a remarkable postseason run.