The Arizona Diamondbacks' Remarkable Turnaround
As recently as June 28, the outlook for the Arizona Diamondbacks seemed grim. With a 39-43 record, they were under .500, trailing the third wild-card spot by 3 1/2 games, and lagging a daunting 11 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Fast forward to August 14, and the Diamondbacks find themselves at the forefront of the wild-card race with a comfortable six-game cushion for a postseason berth.
The transformation is nothing short of spectacular. Since June 29, the Diamondbacks have posted a 29-10 record, a run that has propelled them to the top. Winning nine of their last ten games and 17 of their last 20, Arizona has lost just three games in this stretch, and those by a mere combined total of four runs. They have not lost a series since late June, boasting a 12-0-1 record in 13 series since June 27.
"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 on the team's turnaround.
Key Players Overcoming Challenges
Despite facing significant challenges, including injuries to key players like Christian Walker with an oblique strain since July 30 and Gabriel Moreno suffering a groin strain last week, the Diamondbacks have thrived. Even the struggles of closer Paul Sewald, who had to be removed from his role, haven’t derailed their momentum.
Corbin Carroll is a testament to the team's resilience. His stats took a significant upturn, going from a batting line of .192/.278/.279 in 254 plate appearances as of June 5 to slashing .248/.336/.491 in his last 243 plate appearances. Similarly, Josh Bell has been a revelation, hitting .300/.352/.660 with four home runs in just 14 games, while Jake McCarthy's remarkable .460/.477/.730 in his last 17 games has been pivotal.
Perhaps even more impressively, the Diamondbacks have utilized 14 different starting pitchers this season. The current rotation, featuring Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Pfaadt, has stabilized. Kelly, returning to form, held the Phillies to two runs over five innings during his return, while Rodriguez has made meaningful contributions with two starts since his debut last week.
New Faces, Clutch Moments
New additions have also made significant impacts. Justin Martinez has been flawless in save opportunities since taking over the closer’s role, going 3 for 3. A.J. Puk, another recent addition, has given up just one run while striking out 11 in 6 2/3 innings since joining the team.
The offensive explosion has been equally impressive. Over the past 20 games, the team has hit .305/.368/.565, averaging a scorching 6.90 runs per game. Highlights include Adrian Del Castillo's walk-off homer against the Phillies and Alek Thomas' game-tying two-run single against the Blue Jays.
The designated hitter platoon of Randal Grichuk and Joc Pederson has also paid dividends, combining to hit .287/.379/.519 with 26 home runs. During their scintillating 17-3 stretch, Arizona's postseason odds jumped from 40.5% to 91.5%, according to FanGraphs. The numbers tell the story of a team that's firing on all cylinders.
Optimism Ahead
The remarkable upturn of the Diamondbacks since late June isn't just about individual performances; it's about a collective resurgence. The combination of overcoming injuries, integrating new players successfully, and consistent performance has given this team a formidable identity. As the postseason looms closer, Arizona's eyes are firmly set on continuing their resurgence and making a deep playoff run.