On June 28, the Arizona Diamondbacks were navigating turbulent waters with a 39-43 record. Their position seemed precarious as they were under .500, trailing the third wild-card spot by 3 1/2 games, with four teams ahead of them in that chase. They also lagged a significant 11 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.
Yet, fast forward to August 14, and the Diamondbacks have surged to the forefront of the wild-card race, sitting comfortably with a six-game cushion for a postseason berth. This remarkable turnaround is reflected in their 29-10 record since June 29, a testament to their resilience and tenacity. Notably, Arizona has triumphed in nine of their last ten games, winning 17 of their last 20, with the three losses coming by a combined four runs. Remarkably, they haven't lost a series since late June, boasting a stunning 12-0-1 record in 13 series since June 27.
Despite facing significant injuries, this team has rallied. Christian Walker has been sidelined with an oblique strain since July 30, while Gabriel Moreno recently suffered a groin strain. Even Paul Sewald's struggles required his removal from the closer's role. Yet these setbacks have not deterred the Diamondbacks. Corbin Carroll, who once had a batting line of .192/.278/.279 in 254 plate appearances as of June 5, has since turned his season around and is now slashing .248/.336/.491 in his last 243 plate appearances.
Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen and manager Torey Lovullo made critical midseason adjustments that have paid off. Offseason additions and strategic trades have strengthened this team. Josh Bell, for instance, is hitting .300/.352/.660 with four home runs in just 14 games, while Jake McCarthy has been a revelation, hitting .460/.477/.730 in his last 17 games.
Pitching has also played a pivotal role in this resurgence. The team has utilized 14 different starting pitchers this season, with their current rotation comprising Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Pfaadt. Kelly held the Phillies to two runs over five innings during his return, while Rodriguez has made significant contributions in his two starts since debuting last week. Moreover, Justin Martinez has been flawless in save opportunities, going 3 for 3 since taking over the closer's role. A.J. Puk has been equally impressive, surrendering just one run while striking out 11 in 6 2/3 innings since joining the team.
This increase in offensive consistency has not gone unnoticed. The Diamondbacks’ offense is hitting an electrifying .305/.368/.565 over the past 20 games, averaging 6.90 runs per game during this period. Adrian Del Castillo’s walk-off homer against the Phillies and Alek Thomas's clutch game-tying two-run single against the Blue Jays highlight their knack for delivering in crucial moments. Additionally, the DH platoon of Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson has been productive, hitting .287/.379/.519 with 26 home runs, fortifying their lineup.
The team’s meteoric rise has had a resounding impact on their playoff aspirations. During the 17-3 stretch, Arizona's postseason odds have sky-rocketed from 40.5% to an impressive 91.5%, according to FanGraphs. Jake McCarthy echoed the team's sentiment, stating, "It's been awesome. But, you know, we want to continue to improve on this, and take this into September and the postseason."
As Arizona sets its sights on the homestretch of the regular season, their focus on continual improvement remains unwavering. This remarkable transformation from under .500 to leading the wild-card race has showcased their resilience, depth, and adaptability, making them a formidable contender in the postseason landscape.