Diamondbacks’ Playoff Hopes Hang by Thread
Diamondbacks’ Playoff Hopes Hang by Thread
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Key Points
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Los Angeles’ rotation plan includes rookie Landon Wrobleski starting two of the Dodgers’ final six regular-season games before likely moving to the bullpen for October; he has not allowed a run since Sept. 6 and is approaching a career-high workload.
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Yoshinobu Yamamoto enters his start with a 14-8 record, a 2.51 ERA and 179 innings over 27 starts, giving him one final opportunity to strengthen his National League Cy Young Award case.
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Tyler Glasnow has been inconsistent since returning from the injured list, posting a 4.50 ERA in five starts, and he struggled in two meetings with San Diego last season, going 0-1 with a 5.00 ERA.
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Arizona’s playoff chase could affect the futures of manager Torey Lovullo and general manager Mike Hazen. Starter Merrill Kelly described the urgency bluntly: “There is no tomorrow. We have to win every day.”
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The Diamondbacks’ season has been affected by injuries to key players, including ace Corbin Burnes and reliever Justin Martinez, while Corbin Carroll, Geraldo Perdomo and Ketel Marte have produced below their previous MVP-candidate levels.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are running out of time. With six games left in the regular season, they sit four games behind Philadelphia for the National League's final wild-card spot. FanGraphs gives them just a 5.8% chance of making the playoffs, and their elimination number is three — meaning three more losses, combined with the right Philadelphia results, ends their season. MLB.com reports the Diamondbacks have lost six of their last eight games, putting enormous pressure on every remaining matchup.
Arizona's playoff hopes hinge on a brutal reality: they likely need to win at least four of their final six games while also receiving help from Philadelphia and San Diego. The Diamondbacks begin with a three-game series at Coors Field against Colorado, then finish against San Diego. Starter Merrill Kelly summed up the stakes bluntly: "There is no tomorrow. We have to win every day."
Dodgers Eye Bye With Rotation Depth
The Los Angeles Dodgers need just three more wins to clinch a first-round bye, putting them in a commanding position as they face the San Diego Padres. Sports Illustrated reports the Dodgers have announced Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow as scheduled starters for the series. Yamamoto enters with a 14-8 record, a 2.51 ERA, and 179 innings over 27 starts — one final chance to strengthen his National League Cy Young Award case.
Rookie Landon Wrobleski has been lights-out lately, not allowing a run since September 6. MLB.com notes he will start two of the Dodgers' final six games before likely moving to the bullpen for October as LA manages his approaching career-high workload. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani could return from the injured list during this stretch, giving the Dodgers even more firepower down the stretch.
Glasnow's Struggles Against San Diego
Tyler Glasnow has been inconsistent since returning from injury, posting a 4.50 ERA over five starts. His matchup history with San Diego is particularly concerning. MLB.com reports Glasnow went 0-1 with a 5.00 ERA in two meetings with the Padres last season, suggesting he could be vulnerable in this crucial series against an opponent whose offense has ranked among baseball's best this month.
Arizona's Injuries Pile Up as Playoff Clock Ticks
The Diamondbacks' collapse has been fueled by injuries to key players. MLB.com reports ace Corbin Burnes and reliever Justin Martinez are both sidelined. Star players Corbin Carroll, Geraldo Perdomo, and Ketel Marte have all underperformed relative to their MVP-candidate levels in previous seasons, compounding Arizona's offensive struggles down the stretch.
The playoff chase carries massive implications for Arizona's front office. MLB.com reports that manager Torey Lovullo and general manager Mike Hazen's futures could be affected by how this final push plays out. With elimination looming and time running short, the Diamondbacks' next six games will define their season and potentially their leadership's tenure.
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