PHOENIX – The Arizona Diamondbacks are in the midst of a winning streak that most major league clubs can only dream of: They have won six games in a row, 20 of 25 since the All-Star break and 30 of 40 since late June.
That should be enough to take control of the NL West, right?
Not even close.
The NL West is home to three of baseball’s best teams, including the Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers. While baseball’s championship races are getting more and more exciting with about 40 games remaining, the West looks to be the best with hitters like Shohei Ohtani, Manny Machado and Ketel Marte competing on a nightly basis.
“We’re very conscious of it,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said last week of his team’s shrinking lead. “I’d be lying if I said nobody looks at the scoreboard and appreciates how well the other teams in our division are playing.”
“That puts the responsibility on us to play good baseball.”
The Dodgers – who have won the division in 10 of the last 11 years – appeared to be on their way to another division title in mid-June. They have arguably the best lineup in baseball with Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, and Tyler Glasnow leads a solid rotation.
But Betts missed 1 1/2 months with a fractured left hand and the Dodgers weren’t quite the same in his absence, giving the D-backs and Padres an opportunity to make a move.
And they’ve moved. The Padres and D-backs have been in high form since the All-Star break — San Diego has a record of 19-4 and Arizona is 20-5. The Dodgers aren’t playing badly, with a record of 15-9 during that span, but they’ve struggled to hold onto their division lead.
The Padres (69-53) and D-backs (69-53) were only two games behind the Dodgers (71-51) on Thursday.
Buckle up.
“It’s fun to be a part of, a lot of hard work goes into it,” D-backs hitter Joc Pederson said of his team’s success. “Everyone comes out on the field every day and is ready to do their best to help the team win. It’s a powerful thing when all the guys are pulling together.”
The Dodgers are still loaded with talent. Betts has returned from injury in style and adds his combination of power and speed to the lineup. Los Angeles acquired right-hander Jack Flaherty in a trade and three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw is back, joining Glasnow and Gavin Stone (Riverside, University of Central Arkansas) in the rotation.
“I think the biggest thing for us is we’re getting some guys back,” Kershaw said. “We’re getting our lineup the way we want it. We’re getting some guys — starters, relievers, everything — we’re getting our team together the way we want it.”
“I think you’ll see us take off here very soon.”
They should, because the Padres and D-backs are hot on their heels.
The Padres have been one of baseball’s most frustrating teams in recent seasons, loaded with high-priced talent but often without producing the results to match. But this version has been impressive.
Jurickson Profar is coming off a career year and All-Star rookie Jackson Merrill continues to play great, joining veterans like Jake Cronenworth, Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts and David Peralta in the lineup. Right-hander Joe Musgrove looked good in his recent return, bolstering a rotation that also includes Dylan Cease, Michael King and the recently acquired Martin Perez.
“I’m going to give it everything I’ve got as long as they allow me to keep the ball out there,” Musgrove said. “Me being healthy down the stretch is an important part of this team.”
And then there are the D-backs. Darlings of last year’s postseason after a surprise trip to the World Series, they got off to a slow start this season with a record of 39-43 as of June 29. Since then, they’re 30-10 and boast one of the best offenses in MLB and a starting rotation that just keeps getting better.
Marte is having an MVP-worthy season, while others like Jake McCarthy have had outstanding performances. NL Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll is also playing better after a brutal start to the year. Newcomers like first baseman Josh Bell and reliever AJ Puk have played well, and even rookies like Adrian Del Castillo are contributing big moments.
Three strong teams. A division title up for grabs.
Six more weeks of baseball.
“I love the effort this team is making,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “I don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves. We’re trying to stay present. Trying to stay humble. We’re going out every day to do our best and win 1-0.”
“We’re a really good baseball team. And if we do things right, we can make a run like that.”
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates his solo home run in the dugout during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Jackson Merrill (right) of the San Diego Padres is greeted by Xander Bogaerts (2) after hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (right) hugs Adrian Del Castillo after he hit a walk-off home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove is greeted by teammates after leaving the field during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)