With five games left to play, the Diamondbacks are in eerily similar position to where they were a year ago. -Jesse Friedman "It's almost identical": How Diamondbacks' 2023 postseason chase is helping them in 2024After back-to-back losses to the Milwaukee Brewers and San Francisco Giants, the Diamondbacks find themselves in familiar position. With just under a week remaining in the regular season, they are in good — but not great — position to make the playoffs. Last year, entering their Tuesday game in the final week of the season, they were tied with the Chicago Cubs for the second wild card spot. They had a one-game lead on the Miami Marlins, who were on the outside looking in. This year, the Diamondbacks occupy the third wild card spot; they are half a game behind the New York Mets for the second wild card spot, and they have a 1 1/2 game lead over the Atlanta Braves. Last year at this point, their Fangraphs playoff odds were 78.2 percent. This year, they are 72.9 percent. "It's almost identical," Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. "I think we were a couple games up. We got a chance to clinch the last day [against the Chicago White Sox]. The teams that we were playing against and racing against were stubborn, and it didn't happen until the Saturday before the end of the season." Now, as the team finds itself in such a similar position, Lovullo said that he and his team can draw on that experience. "I've gone back to that several times," Lovullo said, "and the players probably have, too. Look, we're all anxious. We're all curious about what's going to happen day by day. But at the end of it, all we can control is what we're doing in our space. "We want everybody to go out and be the best version of themselves, and that's my promise to the players, the front office, this organization; that I'm going to give them everything I can in my space that I can control. And we need to collectively do that. "That's what I learned from last year. You can't worry about scenario A, scenario B, scenario C. You've got to worry about right now and take care of right now." With All-Star right-hander Logan Webb on the mound on Tuesday, the Diamondbacks have their work cut out for them. They do, however, control their own destiny. Winning four of their final five games would guarantee them a playoff spot regardless of what their competitors do. If they win three games or fewer, there are numerous possible outcomes (which are outlined in my end-of-season primer that was published earlier today). While Lovullo acknowledges the intensity of this time of year, he said that his team does not look tense. "Everybody's in that clubhouse laughing, having a good time, taking care of what they got to take care of in the training room," Lovullo said. "There's more talk about fantasy football and how good Josh Allen was last night. "That's typical stuff. I'm excited by that, and I pay attention to those things. I don't want anybody to change." Ironically, last year's Diamondbacks finished the season just 2-4, including four straight losses to end the season. Nonetheless, on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 — one day before the end of the season — there was a massive pool party to celebrate the team's first postseason berth in six years. Perhaps a similar ending could be in store later this week. TRENDING NOWYOUR FOOTBALL HOMECome watch the PHNX Cardinals crew for away games at Wild Horse Pass! Join us for giveaways, drink specials, and immaculate vibes. BE THE BOSSYOU DO YOUQUOTE OF THE DAY |
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The Diamondbacks already lost their series to the Colorado Rockies, but their playoff odds have held up more nicely than you would expect. -Jesse Friedman How dire are Diamondbacks' playoff chances after second straight loss to Rockies? Photo: Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images DENVER — Even with just 12 days left on Major League Baseball's regular season calendar, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo does not spend much time looking at the standings. He typically waits till he goes to sleep to check...
Earlier this week, we took a look at reasons for optimism with this Suns team. Now it's time to address their lingering problem areas. -Gerald Bourguet 5 lingering concerns for Phoenix Suns in 2024-25 The Phoenix Suns feel like one of the more underrated teams in the Western Conference. The Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks have earned the benefit of the doubt, thanks to, respectfully: a recent championship and having the best player in the...
With the season winding down, the Diamondbacks have scored nearly 70 more runs than any other team in baseball. You'd best take a moment to appreciate it. -Jesse Friedman The 2024 Diamondbacks are the best offensive team in franchise history Photo: Rob Schumacher/The Republic Over the past couple of years, the Diamondbacks built a reputation as a small-ball team. They stole bases. They laid down bunts. They created chaos. But in 2024, the narrative of the Diamondbacks' offense has shifted....