As of June 28, the Arizona Diamondbacks found themselves in a formidable challenge. They held a 39-43 record, placing them under .500 and trailing the third wild-card spot by 3.5 games with four other teams ahead. They also lagged 11.5 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Yet, fast forward to August 14, and the Diamondbacks now stand atop the wild-card race with a comfortable six-game cushion for a postseason berth.
This meteoric rise can be attributed to their remarkable 29-10 record since June 29. The Diamondbacks have been on a tear, winning nine of their last ten games and 17 of their last 20, with their three losses only being by a combined four runs. They haven't lost a series since late June, boasting an impressive 12-0-1 record in their last 13 series.
Despite injuries to key players like Christian Walker, sidelined since July 30 with an oblique strain, and Gabriel Moreno, who suffered a groin strain last week, the team has persevered. Even when closer Paul Sewald was removed from his role due to struggles, the Diamondbacks continued to thrive.
Corbin Carroll, who was batting a meager .192/.278/.279 in 254 plate appearances as of June 5, has surged to a more respectable .248/.336/.491 in his last 243 plate appearances. Josh Bell, newly added to the lineup, has been a revelation, hitting .300/.352/.660 with four home runs over just 14 games. Jake McCarthy has been equally impressive, hitting .460/.477/.730 in his last 17 games. "It's been awesome," McCarthy said. "But, you know, we want to continue to improve on this, and take this into September and the postseason."
The Diamondbacks have demonstrated incredible depth, using 14 different starting pitchers this season. The current rotation includes Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Pfaadt. Kelly, making a strong return, held the Phillies to just two runs over five innings. Rodriguez has also stepped up, contributing two starts since his season debut last week.
In the bullpen, Justin Martinez has been flawless, converting all three of his save opportunities since taking over the closer’s role. A.J. Puk has surrendered just one run while striking out 11 in 6.2 innings since joining the team.
The Diamondbacks' offensive firepower cannot be understated. Over the past 20 games, the team is hitting .305/.368/.565 and averaging 6.9 runs per game. Individual moments of clutch performance have defined their recent stretch, such as Adrian Del Castillo's walk-off homer against the Phillies and Alek Thomas's game-tying two-run single against the Blue Jays.
A factor in their success has been the effective designated hitter platoon of Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson, contributing a combined .287/.379/.519 with 26 home runs. This balanced lineup has propelled the Diamondbacks into a commanding position.
During their 17-3 stretch, Arizona's postseason odds skyrocketed from 40.5% to 91.5%, according to FanGraphs, showcasing the team’s transformation and growing confidence.
The Diamondbacks’ turnaround is not only remarkable but also a testament to their resilience, depth, and tactical adjustments. With an eye on continuing their momentum, the team is poised to make a significant impact come September and beyond.