The Dodgers next play the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, and somewhat amazingly won’t be facing a team in the desert merely playing out the string. The D-backs, who were sellers at the trade deadline, are alive and kicking in a fight for a wild card spot.
At the trade deadline, Arizona traded away third baseman Eugenio Suárez, first baseman Josh Naylor, starting pitcher Merrill Kelly, closer Shelby Miller, and outfielder Randall Grichuk. Their low point was eight games below .500 on August 1.
Since then, the D-backs are 27-18, the third-best record in the National League behind only the Brewers and Phillies. The Dodgers during that span are 24-21, for instance. Driving the bus on offense since the beginning of August are Geraldo Perdomo (171 wRC+), catcher Gabriel Moreno (151 wRC+), and outfielder Corbin Carroll (148 wRC+).
That has Arizona just one game back of the final wild card spot heading into the season’s final week. Problem is they have two teams ahead of them, with the Mets and Reds tied for the No. 6 seed. The Diamondbacks this week play the Dodgers and Padres, so their path to the postseason is a rough one. But at the very least, they can make things difficult for the two other playoff-bound teams in the division.
Look, if anything has become clear this season, it’s that the “Rockies Way” — whatever that is — has failed. It’s time for the Rockies to bring in someone from outside the organization and empower that person to make significant change.
The Giants haven’t been officially eliminated but begin the week under .500 at 77-79 and three games behind the final wild card spot, needing to leapfrog three teams. “The Giants had good luck this season,” Bryan Murphy asked at McCovey Chronicles. “Will they have better talent next year?”
Dodgers 88-68 – – –
Padres 85-71 3 GB
D-backs 79-77 9 GB
Giants 77-79 11 GB
Rockies 43-113 45 GB