From Struggles to Stardom: The Meteoric Rise of the Arizona Diamondbacks
As recently as June 28, the Arizona Diamondbacks found themselves in a precarious position. Sporting 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. Moreover, they lagged 11 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. The prospects for a postseason berth seemed dim.
Fast forward to August 14, and the Diamondbacks have staged a remarkable turnaround. They now stand atop the wild-card race and hold a six-game cushion for a postseason berth. This remarkable resurgence can be traced back to a stellar 29-10 record since June 29.
Turning the Tide
Much of Arizona's success in recent weeks can be attributed to their dominant performance during a 17-3 stretch. The Diamondbacks have won nine of their last ten games and 17 of their last 20. Their three losses during this period came by a combined four runs, an indication of how competitive they've been. Remarkably, they haven't lost a series since late June, boasting a 12-0-1 record in their last 13 series.
Offensively, the Diamondbacks have been firing on all cylinders. Over the past 20 games, the team has been hitting a scorching .305/.368/.565, averaging 6.90 runs per game. Jake McCarthy has been particularly impressive, hitting .460/.477/.730 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 shared.
Contributions have come from all corners of the roster. Adrian Del Castillo hit a walk-off homer against the Phillies, while Alek Thomas delivered a clutch game-tying two-run single against the Blue Jays. The designated hitter platoon of Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson has been formidable, collectively hitting .287/.379/.519 with 26 home runs.
Pitching Prowess
The Diamondbacks' pitching staff has also played a pivotal role in their resurgence. Despite using 14 different starting pitchers this season, the current rotation has found stability. Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Pfaadt have formed a cohesive unit. Kelly held the Phillies to just two runs over five innings in his return, while Rodriguez has provided solid contributions in his two starts since debuting this season.
Relief pitching has seen a notable boost as well. Justin Martinez is 3 for 3 in save opportunities since taking over the closer role. A.J. Puk, one of the bullpen's stalwarts, has surrendered just one run while striking out 11 in 6 2/3 innings since joining the team.
Individual Resilience
Some of the Diamondbacks' key players have overcome significant challenges. Christian Walker has been sidelined with an oblique strain since July 30, and Gabriel Moreno suffered a groin strain last week. Meanwhile, Corbin Carroll, who had a batting line of .192/.278/.279 as of June 5 in 254 plate appearances, has turned his season around, now slashing .248/.336/.491 in his last 243 plate appearances. Josh Bell has also been in red-hot form, hitting .300/.352/.660 with four home runs in just 14 games.
Fighting Against the Odds
It’s not just individual performances that have driven this turnaround; it's the collective resilience and determination of the team. The Diamondbacks’ odds of making the postseason have surged from 40.5% to 91.5% during their 17-3 stretch, according to FanGraphs. Despite these impressive gains, the focus remains on continuous improvement and sustaining this form through to the postseason.
The Arizona Diamondbacks' story is one of resilience and resurgence. Facing long odds and significant challenges, they've not only turned their season around but positioned themselves as strong contenders for the postseason. With a potent combination of timely hitting, solid pitching, and unwavering determination, the Diamondbacks have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with as they head into the final stretch of the season.