The Diamondbacks are trying to keep their playoff position intact, but the picture around them is tightening fast. Philadelphia’s series win pushed Arizona farther into a separation battle, and the club’s margin for error is shrinking with every quiet night at the plate.
Corbin Carroll’s back is now part of the conversation, and it’s a concern that can’t be brushed aside if the Diamondbacks want to hold onto a postseason berth. The timing matters, because Arizona also has the Padres and Marlins looming in the wild-card chase, and San Diego will face the Diamondbacks in the final three games of the regular season.
There’s no quick fix coming from the pitching side either. Corbin Burnes will not be an option for at least another week, and his return remains on hold until he builds up more. Ryne Nelson and Zac Gallen are still working their way back as well.
That leaves Arizona in a spot where winning is the only thing that can change the conversation. The club could help itself by getting back on track now, because the longer the skid lasts, the more pressure builds around Burnes’ availability and the rest of the roster’s health.
Off the field, the Marte situation is still drawing attention, though teammates would probably love nothing more than a long winning streak to push that storyline aside. For now, the bigger issue is the one on the field: the Diamondbacks’ offense has gone cold, and there’s also growing concern that the bullpen may have hit a wall.
The broader playoff picture doesn’t offer much comfort. Arizona sits fifth among the seven National League contenders in remaining strength of schedule, while the Padres are sixth. The Dodgers are seventh, though they “don’t matter at this stage.”
And as for the way people evaluate the season, the reminder is simple: preseason projections still matter more than some want to admit. The real question is how much a few months of results should change what was believed back in March, and the answer, according to the source material, is less than the projection skeptics might like.
In Other News...
Diamondbacks Face A Bigger Torey Lovullo Question Than The Playoff Push
As the Diamondbacks keep pushing through a playoff race, the conversation around Torey Lovullo has started to drift beyond the standings. MLB insider Robert Murray of Fansided wrote that Arizona is expected to keep Lovullo in place for another season, pointing to the managers strong relationship with the general manager, his standing with players and the fact that his clubs have generally remained competitive.
The bigger question now is less about whether Lovullo has support and more about how the organization chooses to frame his future if this stretch ends without the finish it wants. Murrays read is that even a change would not leave Lovullo without options for long, but for now the speculation is just that, with no official decision from the team. [Read more 🡒]
Gabriel Moreno Has Changed What Arizonas Lineup Can Be
Gabriel Morenos breakout season has given Arizona something it has been looking for behind the plate: a catcher who can change the shape of the lineup, not just hold it together. His work at the plate has taken a clear step forward, with better power and contact showing up in the underlying numbers and in the results, as he has driven the ball with more authority and cut down on the empty swings that used to undercut his at-bats.
The bigger difference for the Diamondbacks is how often they have had him available. Moreno has stayed healthier this season, getting into 110 games and giving Arizona a steadier presence in the middle of its order. For a club that values depth and balance, that kind of production from catcher changes the conversation, and it has put Moreno in the conversation as one of the better players at his position. [Read more 🡒]
Former D-Backs Outfielder Just Got Another Shot To Revive His Career
Dominic Fletcher is getting another chance to climb back into the big leagues, this time with the Reds after signing a minor league contract and heading to Triple-A Louisville. For Arizona fans, his name still carries a little weight because he broke into the majors with the Diamondbacks, where he made his MLB debut before his career started to bounce around from club to club.
Fletchers path has already included stops with the White Sox and, most recently, a minor league stint with the Pirates before he elected free agency after triggering a release clause in that deal. Now he lands in another new organization with a familiar goal: prove he still belongs in the conversation for a return to the majors, even if the route back will have to start in Louisville. [Read more 🡒]