© Joseph Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
PHOENIX — Many baseball fans tuned in to this year’s World Series matchup as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays battled for the ultimate prize, including Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo.
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Oct 31, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) makes a trip to the mound against the Texas Rangers during the third inning in game four of the 2023 World Series at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Just two years ago, the Diamondbacks found themselves in a similar position, three wins away from their second World Series championship in franchise history. The Snakes couldn’t finish the job, falling to the Texas Rangers 4-1.
Now, they’ve missed the postseason twice after making it to the Fall Classic, being eliminated in the closing days of the regular season two years in a row.
“Two years ago, I was in that dugout,” Lovullo said to PHNX Diamondbacks. “This year, I’m pulling weeds in my front yard. It just doesn’t sit well with me, watching a game that I want to be part of.”
Jul 6, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (left) walks to the mound for a pitching change during the tenth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
The Diamondbacks have had tough luck making it back to the postseason since their magical World Series run in 2023. Despite adding talent on the mound and in the lineup, the Snakes haven’t been able to overcome the injury bug or an increasingly competitive National League, even though they have been favorites to return to the playoffs since their World Series appearance.
In 2024, despite having a better record than the year before, they missed the postseason due to a tiebreaker on the final day. This season, much of their pitching staff has been injured, including Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes, who had just signed with Arizona during the previous offseason.
However, these setbacks haven’t shaken Lovullo’s belief that the team can still reach the heights it did not too long ago.
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo watches his team from the dugout as they play against the Houston Astros at Chase Field on July 21, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“I did a lot of soul searching as I was watching it,” he said. “… The Dodgers are the Dodgers. They’re a great team and the thing I like about it is we play them 13 times. We hang right with them, but we know what we gotta do. To be as good as them every single day.”
It’s unclear what the Diamondbacks’ roster will look like in 2026, with owner Ken Kendrick confirming that payroll will be cut next year and many players still sidelined by injuries. While the team may have to pass on some expensive free agents, Arizona still has plenty of homegrown talent to rely on for another postseason run.
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?
THE ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS ARE HEADED TO THE WORLD SERIES!!! pic.twitter.com/hMpSHazJKK
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) October 25, 2023
Los Angeles’ back-to-back World Series wins have only motivated Lovullo more to bring postseason magic back to the Valley and reset the standard.
“The Dodgers are the World Champions and we get a very front-facing look at them,” said Lovullo. “And we gotta be motivated and prepared to compete against them and play at that level to win a World Championship.”
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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