A roller-coaster four-game set between Arizona and LA had it all: dominant pitching, late-inning heartbreak, and managerial drama. The D-backs split the series, but missed chances left fans wondering what could have been.
The Arizona Diamondbacks came into their four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers looking to make a statement in the division, and if nothing else, they made noise. In the latest episode of DBacks Dispatch, hosts Gabriel and Brandon unpack a series filled with highs, lows, and one unforgettable high-scoring clash that left fans venting across the Valley.
A Series of What-Ifs: D-backs Split, But Could Have Swept
The D-backs walked away with a 2–2 series split against the division-leading Dodgers, but the feeling among fans, and the DBacks Dispatch crew, is that it could have been much more. From dominant starting pitching to clutch hitting, Arizona had the tools to win the series outright. But bullpen blowups, questionable decisions, and offensive inconsistency cost them dearly, particularly in a brutal Game 2 collapse.
Game 1: A Strong Start
The series opened with a bang, as Brandon Pfaadt delivered a commanding performance on the mound: 6.1 innings, no earned runs, six strikeouts. The offense backed him up in a big way: Gabriel Moreno crushed a grand slam (his first homer of the season), and Ketel Marte followed with a solo shot of his own.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers’ ace, entered the game with a near-zero ERA, but the D-backs’ patient approach rattled him and chased him early. It was Arizona’s first series-opening win against LA since 2021, an encouraging sign of progress despite that year’s team being a nightmare I’m sure we’d all prefer to forget.
Game 2: Haymakers and Heartbreakers
Game 2 started with promise—Marte homered again, and the D-backs jumped out to an early lead. But Eduardo Rodriguez imploded, allowing eight runs (six earned) in under three innings. Still, Arizona’s bats bailed him out, clawing their way back to an 11–7 lead entering the ninth.
And then… disaster.
Kevin Ginkel, fresh off the IL, clearly rusty, and historically not an adept 9th inning pitcher, was inexplicably brought in for the ninth. He allowed four hits and a walk before finally being pulled, and Shohei Ohtani blasted a go-ahead homer off Ryan Thompson. The D-backs lost 14–11 in what Brandon and Gabe called the most infuriating game of the season.
Game 3: The Deadly Duo of Burnes and Nelson
With the series tied and emotions high, Corbin Burnes delivered his best start of the season: 7 scoreless innings with five strikeouts. It was the exact type of performance the team needed to steady itself after the previous night’s gut punch.
Ryan Nelson closed out the game with two strong innings, giving the bullpen a much-needed night off. Burnes’ performance reaffirmed why the D-backs made him their offseason ace. We agreed if he can continue pitching at this level, Burnes can carry the team deep into the summer.
Game 4: Bats Go Silent
In the finale, the D-backs offense stalled. Corbin Carroll’s struggles continued, particularly his habit of swinging at the first pitch. He had only 1–2 hits the entire series, and his lack of production at the top of the lineup is becoming a bit of a concern.
Despite decent pitching, the team failed to capitalize with runners in scoring position, an ongoing theme throughout the series. The loss sealed the series split, but the feeling was that Arizona missed a big opportunity.
Final Thoughts
Despite the frustrating split, there’s plenty of reason for cautious optimism. The D-backs went toe-to-toe with a top-tier Dodgers squad, and their pitching showed up in a big way. The team is still in playoff contention, but internal issues, particularly in the bullpen, must be resolved quickly.
Gabe and Brandon ended with a hopeful note: there’s nine games left against LA. There’s plenty of time to take control of the season series, and possibly the division race.