The Diamondbacks are back in the same crowded spot they occupied after Tuesday’s game: tied with the Phillies and Padres for the second wild-card position. Each club has gone 2-1 since then, and Arizona’s back-to-back wins over Atlanta have given its playoff odds a noticeable lift. Fangraphs now has the D-backs at 53.2%, just ahead of San Diego at 52.7%, while Philadelphia still sits at 75.6%.
That number for the Phillies doesn’t really line up with their recent stretch, at least not from here. Philadelphia has not been above .500 over the last 10, 20 or 30 games, while Arizona and San Diego have been. The D-backs, meanwhile, have clawed back after the loss to Colorado and are once again right in the middle of the race.
Arizona has a chance to make the weekend even better with an unexpected sweep of the Braves this afternoon. Michael Soroka is set to get another turn, and this time he should be on a more normal workload after throwing 77 pitches in his first start back from the Injured List. Ketel Marte is also back in the lineup after sitting out a day with his balky knee.
There was also movement on the roster before the game. The D-backs made a set of roster moves, and their 40-man roster remains full at 40.
Abner was off the active roster, which wasn’t a shock, but his removal from the 40-man was more notable, especially with Santana coming in as the replacement. It may be a short-term move, with Justin Martinez close to being ready, though Gerardo Carrillo could also be the one feeling the heat.
Mike Hazen, as usual, has something in mind. The rest of us just don’t know what it is yet.
The matchup itself features Arizona sending Michael Soroka to the mound against Bryce Elder, with the lineups set on both sides. For the Diamondbacks, Geraldo Perdomo leads off at shortstop, followed by Corbin Carroll, Gabriel Moreno, Ketel Marte, Max Kepler, Nolan Arenado, Tim Tawa, James McCann and Jorge Barrosa. Atlanta counters with Drake Baldwin behind the plate, Ronald Acuna in right, Matt Olson at first, Michael Harris in center, Mike Yastrzemski in left, Ozzie Albies at second, Dominic Smith at designated hitter, Austin Riley at third, and Jim Jarvis at short.
In Other News...
Ketel Martes Status Suddenly Feels Bigger For The Diamondbacks
Ketel Martes availability has quickly become one of the more important items on Arizonas daily checklist after the second baseman was listed as day-to-day with left knee soreness. The discomfort had already been hanging around earlier in the month, and it flared up enough during a game against the Atlanta Braves that Marte had to exit and did not return. He was also out of the lineup for the next game, which only underscored how carefully the Diamondbacks have to handle one of their most important regulars.
For a club that leans on Marte for stability in the middle of the infield and production at the plate, even a short absence can change the feel of a series. The good news for Arizona is that the issue was described as soreness rather than something more alarming, and the team now has to wait and see how he responds as the schedule keeps moving. [Read more 🡒]
Torey Lovullos Future Just Raised The Stakes For Arizonas Stretch Run
The Diamondbacks push for the postseason now carries an extra layer of meaning beyond the standings. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Torey Lovullo is in the final year of his contract, and there have not been extension talks as Arizona tries to hold onto its spot in the playoff race. For a club with its current position looking anything but secure, the stretch run has become about more than just a October berth.
Lovullo has been the steady face of the dugout in Arizona, but the uncertainty around his future is hard to miss this late in the season. If the Diamondbacks finish the job, the conversation changes quickly. If they do not, the organization may be facing a major decision about the manager as soon as the season ends. [Read more 🡒]