The quest for Mt. Over-.500 continues!
Tonight’s broadcast is on Apple TV – plan accordingly!
The last time the D-backs had a chance to get back over .500, it… did not go well. That was in Cincinnati, where they came in, fresh off a sweep of the Braves which had evened their record at 31-31. Arizona promptly got swept, outscored by a 21-6 margin. But one solid sweep of the Mariners later, and here we are again, back at .500 (34-34), with another chance to get into positive territory, for the first time since May 23. That will be a significant step, though much better will be needed. Right now, the third wild-card spot belongs to the Padres, currently on pace for 92 wins. Remember the D-backs getting into the post-season with 84 wins two years ago? Doubt that will be anywhere close to enough this time.
However, the vagaries of the schedule means that tonight is the first time Arizona has faced San Diego this year, not until the 69th contest. The schedule for the rest of the season – not just for the D-backs, but everyone in the NL West – promises to be considerably more division heavy, and that may lead to the overall win totals dropping, as the Dodgers, Giants, Padres and Diamondbacks play each other, rather than beating up on the Rockies. Because San Diego has the final spot, this series is doubly important. Taking two of three this weekend, would pull Arizona to 3.5 games back of a play-off spot: a sweep would really close the gap, putting the D-backs just 1.5 games out.
However, it has been a bad day – again – for the D-backs bullpen. As well as the not unexpected news that Justin Martinez will go under the knife for Tommy John surgery, formally ending his season. co-closer A.J. Puk has been taking off his throwing program and will travel to LA and see the dreaded Dr. Neal ElAttrache. He’s the man who carried out the TJ procedure on Corbin Burnes earlier this week, and seems never to have met a UCL he didn’t want to operate on. If that proves to be the case for Puk, I guess we can sadly close one line on the Place Your Bets, because neither he nor Martinez will be getting any further saves this season. Who precicted Shelby Miller as full-time D-backs closer in 2025?