The Arizona Diamondbacks have come out of the All-Star break with a clear goal: to secure another trip to the postseason. They have gone 9-3 since the break, winning seven of their last eight games. In these games, the Diamondbacks have averaged 7.875 runs, consistent with their standing as the second-highest scoring team in baseball this season, trailing only the New York Yankees with 558 runs.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!However, ESPN’s recent Week 18 MLB Power Rankings focused not on Arizona’s potent offense but on their pitching staff, which has struggled with injuries throughout the season. Recently, the pitching has shown signs of improvement. Rookie Yilber Diaz has delivered a couple of quality starts, and Ryne Nelson has solidified himself as a reliable fourth option in the rotation, going at least five innings in six consecutive starts, including a seven-inning, two-hit shutout against the Nationals.
Brandon Pfaadt has also shown improvement, maintaining a sub-4.00 ERA for the first time since April. He one-upped Nelson’s performance with a seven-inning shutout, allowing just one hit against the Cubs on the 21st.
The only sour part of the Diamondbacks rotation, at least for the time being, has been Jordan Montgomery. The southpaw had another terrible start at home on July 29th, when he allowed six runs in four innings. Yet, despite this, the D-backs still emerged victorious, thanks to a five-run 9th inning that ended with a Corbin Carroll two-run walk-off home run.
Overall, since the start of July, the Diamondbacks’ team ERA has improved significantly, moving from the second worst in baseball to the sixth worst. This progress is promising, especially with Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez expected to return from the injured list in August, adding stability to a young and evolving rotation.
Nevertheless, Arizona actually moved down one spot in ESPN’s power rankings. Alden Gonzales commented, “When the week began, the D-backs’ bullpen held a 4.22 ERA, 23rd in the majors. The one thing they needed — aside from a return to health in their rotation, which should soon get Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez back from the IL — was a good reliever. So they did well in getting a power left-hander in A.J. Puk from the Marlins and an experienced righty in Dylan Floro from the Nationals. And they pivoted quickly upon learning that Christian Walker had suffered an oblique injury, getting a temporary first-base replacement in Josh Bell. Arizona’s heavy lifting came in the offseason. What they need now is for their starters to hold up and for their best players to perform.”
Some questionable teams ahead of the Diamondbacks include the Mariners, Red Sox, Mets, and maybe even the Astros. Among these, only the Mets, alongside the Diamondbacks, have a winning record since the All-Star break.
Looking ahead, the Diamondbacks, currently holding a Wild Card spot for the first time this season, face a crucial three-game series against the Pirates starting on Friday. Following that, they will take on the two best teams in baseball, the Cleveland Guardians and the Philadelphia Phillies.
