The Diamondbacks are heading to San Diego with their season still breathing.
Arizona finished off a three-game sweep of the Rockies with a 12-8 win Thursday afternoon at Coors Field, keeping its playoff chase alive with three games left in the regular season. The result got the club exactly where it needed to be: on to the final series with something still on the line.
There’s still a narrow path, though, and it runs through a lot of help.
The Cubs locked up a postseason berth by beating the Marlins on Thursday, and the Diamondbacks knew they could also see the Padres clinch a spot later that night against the Dodgers. Even if the Phillies beat the Brewers on Thursday night, Arizona would not be eliminated yet. But the math is brutal from here: the Diamondbacks need to win all three games in San Diego and hope the Phillies drop all three to the Rays.
Arizona entered the night 2 1/2 games behind Philadelphia for the third and final National League Wild Card spot.
One of the biggest reasons the Diamondbacks are still in this thing is Eduardo Rodriguez. Signed to a four-year, $80 million deal before the 2024 season, Rodriguez’s first two seasons in Arizona were a letdown because of injuries and inconsistency. This year has looked much more like the version the Diamondbacks expected.
The left-hander started his spring by helping Venezuela win the World Baseball Classic, and he carried that momentum into a season that earned him his first career All-Star selection.
The offense has also found some life at the right time. After back-to-back series losses to the Rangers and Marlins, Arizona’s bats had been dragged down by a lack of production, especially with runners in scoring position. A few games at Coors Field have helped wake them back up.
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Diamondbacks Keep Playoff Hopes Alive With No Room Left For Error
A first-inning mistake in the Rockies outfield helped set the tone for Arizona at Coors Field, where the Diamondbacks beat Colorado 5-3 to keep their postseason path from disappearing altogether. Zac Veens error opened the door to four unearned runs, giving Arizona an early cushion in a game it could not afford to let slip, and the win pulled the club within three games of the National Leagues third Wild Card spot with four games left to play.
Torey Lovullo managed like every inning mattered, turning to his bullpen early and lifting Merrill Kelly in the sixth after a single. With the margin still tight in the standings and no room left for a misstep, Arizona now has to turn this escape into a run, knowing the next four games are likely to decide whether the season gets extended or ends here. [Read more 🡒]
D-backs Prospects Just Sent Another Encouraging Message About The Farm System
The Diamondbacks keep getting reminders that the talent pipeline is in good shape, and the latest one came from Double-A Amarillo. The Sod Poodles won the Texas League championship by taking a winner-take-all Game 3 against Springfield, 6-4, putting together another strong finish for a club that has become one of the organizations clearest development success stories.
Avery Owusu-Asiedu delivered the biggest swing with a two-run homer, while Carlos Virahonda, Angel Ortiz and Mason Marriott helped close out the title game. It was Amarillos second championship in four years, and the broader takeaway for Arizona is hard to miss: prospects such as Druw Jones, David Hagaman, Danny Serretti, Cristofer Torin and Manuel Pena all had their moments during the season, adding another layer of optimism about whats building in the system. [Read more 🡒]
Merrill Kelly Gives The D-Backs A Shot To Keep Chasing October
Merrill Kelly gets the ball for Arizona as the Diamondbacks and Rockies line up for another meeting, and his presence on the mound carries a little extra weight for a club still trying to keep its October pursuit alive. Kellys complete game earlier this year against Colorado at Coors Field stood out as one of those outings that can steady a staff, and the Diamondbacks are again leaning on him in a spot where every start seems to matter a little more.
Arizona also reached another bullpen milestone along the way, with Kevin Ginkel making his 71st appearance out of the pen. It is the sort of workload that says plenty about how heavily the Diamondbacks have had to lean on their relief corps, and it adds another layer to a game that feels important well beyond one day on the schedule. [Read more 🡒]