SAN DIEGO — With no postseason berth, Arizona Diamondbacks fans are left with a range of emotions — most notably frustration, disappointment and plenty of questions about what went wrong.
Sep 27, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann (8) hits a single during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
The Diamondbacks entered Sunday with no control over their own postseason fate. They needed to win their final game against the San Diego Padres while the Tampa Bay Rays needed to sweep the Philadelphia Phillies. That combination would have given both teams the same end-of-season record, with Arizona holding the tiebreaker.
Despite battling the Padres, the D-Backs were eliminated before the conclusion of their game when the Phillies rallied to defeat the Rays, 7-3. This marks the third straight season the Snakes will not be in the playoffs following their World Series run in 2023.
Sep 27, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandyn Garcia (55) during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Reactions from the Diamondbacks faithful have poured in online, with many demanding answers after the club came so close to returning to the postseason but ultimately fell short.
The Arizona Diamondbacks if missing playoffs by one game was a competition pic.twitter.com/NqS2RVonmY
— Damon (@DamonDawg) September 27, 2026
No #DBacks tweets today. Another season where bad management costs us a playoff spot. 1 playoff appearance in 9 years. Jose Cabrera game will live on forever.
Torey Lovullo extension will be signed Tuesday.
— Goldschmidt Happened (@GoldyHappens) September 27, 2026
The Arizona #Dbacks have been eliminated from the postseason.
A lack of production from their “superstars”, half of a functioning rotation caused by poor offseason signings, and a bland deadline have lead to this.
It’s the 3rd straight season of high payroll and no playoffs
— Diamondbacks Prospects 🐍 (@dbacksprospectz) September 27, 2026
@RSaenzFox10 it’s sad the Dbacks fell one game short of postseason. However, they still finished with a winning record & surpassed their win total from last season https://t.co/oX1TkZtut0
— Charles Isaacs (@Chasi1229) September 27, 2026
There are a few fans who have had a more positive reflection on the season, proud of their team for continuing to fight despite the circumstances they found themselves in heading into the final week of the year.
It doesn’t look like it’s going to happen for the #Dbacks today.
The last 2 weeks have been incredible. I would take them over a quick playoff series exit any day.
— Mark McClune (@MarkMcClune) September 27, 2026
i love the arizona diamondbacks. and i always will. being so close again means we have a good team. it means i got to see meaningful games in september for another year. this year gave me so many memories that i will always remember fondly. i got to see two walk off homers! and
— geraldo perdomo’s biggest fan (she/her) (@azgeraldomarte) September 27, 2026
@RSaenzFox10 it’s sad the Dbacks fell one game short of postseason. However, they still finished with a winning record & surpassed their win total from last season https://t.co/oX1TkZtut0
— Charles Isaacs (@Chasi1229) September 27, 2026
Sep 27, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll (7) hits an RBI double during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Now comes the hard part for the D-Backs: What can they learn from the season, and what changes need to be made to avoid another end-of-year elimination?
As those conversations begin, Arizona fans will continue to have their own discussions about the season and where the franchise goes from here.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
Diamondbacks’ playoff hopes end on the final day of the season
