As recently as June 28, the Arizona Diamondbacks found themselves in a precarious position with a 39-43 record. Under .500 and trailing the third wild-card spot by 3 1/2 games, they were 11 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Fast forward to August 14, and the Diamondbacks not only sit atop the wild-card race but also hold a six-game cushion for a postseason berth. What has unfolded over these weeks is a testament to resilience, skill, and the timely contributions from key players.
Since June 29, the Diamondbacks have posted an impressive 29-10 record, winning nine of their last ten games and 17 of their last 20. The three losses during this stretch came by a combined four runs. They haven't lost a series since late June, boasting a 12-0-1 record in the last 13 series.
Remarkably, this resurgence has come despite setbacks. Christian Walker has been sidelined with an oblique strain since July 30, and Gabriel Moreno suffered a groin strain just last week. Additionally, Paul Sewald had to be removed from the closer's role due to struggles. Yet, the Diamondbacks have continually found ways to mitigate these challenges.
Key Players Step Up
Consistent contributions from players like Corbin Carroll have been pivotal. Earlier in the season, Carroll was struggling with a batting line of .192/.278/.279 in 254 plate appearances as of June 5. Since then, he has turned his performance around, slashing .248/.336/.491 in his last 243 plate appearances. This sort of turnaround has been emblematic of the Diamondbacks' season.
Josh Bell is another player who has found his stride, hitting .300/.352/.660 with four home runs in just 14 games. Jake McCarthy has been exceptional, posting a .460/.477/.730 batting line in his last 17 games. "It's been awesome. But, you know, we want to continue to improve on this, and take this into September and the postseason," McCarthy said of the team's recent surge.
A remarkable depth in the pitching rotation has also been a key aspect of the Diamondbacks' success. They have used 14 different starting pitchers this season. The current rotation, which includes Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Pfaadt, has stabilized the team's performance. Kelly, in particular, held the Phillies to two runs over five innings during his return, while Rodriguez has contributed two starts since his season debut last week.
Dominant Bullpen and Offensive Prowess
The bullpen has seen contributions from Justin Martinez, who is 3 for 3 in save opportunities since taking over the closer's role, and A.J. Puk, who has surrendered just one run while striking out 11 in 6 2/3 innings since joining the team. These performances have locked down games and given the Diamondbacks a critical edge in close contests.
The offensive firepower doesn't end there. Over the past 20 games, the Diamondbacks' offense is hitting an impressive .305/.368/.565, averaging 6.90 runs per game. Adrian Del Castillo's walk-off homer against the Phillies and Alek Thomas' clutch game-tying two-run single against the Blue Jays are just a couple of moments that highlight their knack for timely hitting.
The designated hitter platoon of Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson has also been productive, hitting a combined .287/.379/.519 with 26 home runs. Such balanced contributions have been vital in driving the team's recent success.
Postseason Prospects
During their outstanding 17-3 stretch, Arizona's postseason odds have jumped from 40.5% to 91.5%, according to FanGraphs. This statistic underscores the transformative journey the team has undergone, coming from a challenging position only weeks ago to now being prime postseason contenders.
The Diamondbacks have shown they possess the depth, talent, and fortitude to not just compete but to thrive when it matters most. As the season progresses, this Arizona team continues to defy expectations and set new benchmarks, driven by the collective will and standout performances from a roster firing on all cylinders.
For Jake McCarthy and his teammates, the journey has been incredible. Yet, as McCarthy aptly put it, "We want to continue to improve on this, and take this into September and the postseason."