The Los Angeles Dodgers head to Chase Field this week to face the Arizona Diamondbacks. This series might end up being one of the most interesting matchups in the final stretch of the MLB regular season.
The Diamondbacks, despite trading away several key players at the deadline and hinting at a rebuild, have clawed their way back into the postseason race. The National League West feels as competitive as ever, and this series could have real playoff consequences for both teams.
Arizona’s Surprising Late-Season Surge
Honestly, not many folks expected the Diamondbacks to sniff a playoff spot after their July sell-off. The team moved on from some big contributors, including Eugenio Suárez, Josh Naylor, Merrill Kelly, Shelby Miller, and Randall Grichuk.
Those moves looked like a clear step toward rebuilding. But baseball doesn’t always go the way you’d think.
A Turnaround Since August
Arizona hit a low point on August 1, sitting eight games under .500 and looking all but finished. Since then, they’ve gone 27-18, which is actually the third-best record in the National League over that stretch.
Meanwhile, the heavily favored Dodgers have managed a more ordinary 24-21 in the same period.
Offensive Leaders Driving Success
Arizona’s resurgence owes a lot to some breakout offensive performances. A few key players have really stepped up since the veterans left.
High Impact Bats
Leading the charge are:
- Geraldo Perdomo – putting up an impressive 171 wRC+
- Gabriel Moreno – bringing a solid 151 wRC+
- Corbin Carroll – dangerous with a 148 wRC+
These guys have kept Arizona’s offense in the fight, even against some of the toughest pitching in the league. It’s proof that timely hitting and roster depth can keep a team alive, even after a big shake-up.
The Road Ahead: A Challenging Schedule
The Diamondbacks sit just a game out of the final National League wild card spot. But their road to October isn’t exactly a walk in the park.
They’ll need to leapfrog both the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds, all while facing a pretty brutal schedule full of playoff contenders.
Two Crucial Series
Next up: huge matchups against the Dodgers and Padres. Both are postseason-level teams, so Arizona can’t afford any slip-ups.
Every game will feel like a must-win if they want to keep those playoff hopes alive right up to the end.
Pitching Matchups to Watch
This series brings some really intriguing pitching duels. The Dodgers will roll out a star-studded rotation with Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
The Diamondbacks will counter with Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson, and their ace, Zac Gallen.
Why These Duels Matter
Arizona’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, so they’ll need to find a way to quiet the Dodgers’ big bats. The Dodgers, already leading the NL West, are looking to fine-tune their rotation and lineup before the postseason hits.
Honestly, every pitch in this series could matter—a lot. This could even be a sneak peek at what’s coming in October.
NL West Context
The division is still one of the toughest in baseball. The Dodgers lead, but the Padres are right there, and the Diamondbacks are refusing to fade away.
The Giants sit at 77-79, only three games back of a wild card spot, so there’s still a sliver of hope. Meanwhile, the Rockies are just having a rough time, stuck at the bottom and well out of the race.
The Stakes Entering the Final Week
For Arizona, every game feels like a playoff from here on out. A series win over the Dodgers could swing momentum hard in their favor.
If they somehow manage a sweep, Arizona might just leap into a wild card spot. On the other side, the Dodgers want to flex their dominance and get ready for another deep postseason run.
October’s right around the corner. Fans should brace for drama, wild energy, and who knows—maybe another twist from a Diamondbacks squad that just won’t go away.
As the regular season winds down, all eyes in the NL West turn to Chase Field. Will Arizona’s wild rally actually get them over the line, or do the Dodgers remind everyone why they’ve owned this division so long?
Here is the source article for this story: National League West report: Diamondbacks still alive
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