SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 12: Corbin Carroll #7 of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits the ball during the first inning of the Spring Training game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 12, 2023 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Through one-third of the MLB regular season, the Arizona Diamondbacks sit in fourth place in the NL West despite looking like contenders during the offseason.
In 2023, the Diamondbacks made it to the World Series for the first time since 2001, but unfortunately for the Desert Snakes, they came up short, losing in five games to the Texas Rangers. They followed up their World Series appearance by missing the Postseason in 2024, even though they finished with a record of 89-73.
Arizona made a big free agent signing when they brought in four-time All-Star and former Cy Young award winner, Corbin Burnes, to a six-year, $210 million contract. They also made a trade with the Cleveland Guardians to acquire first baseman Josh Naylor, which resulted in Christian Walker signing with the Houston Astros after eight seasons in Arizona.
Going into the 2025 season, the Diamondbacks were poised to contend for first place in the NL West, but they currently sit nine games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. Arizona’s slow start to the season can be attributed to its pitching, which ranks in the bottom 10 in many important metrics.
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Arizona is currently ranked in the bottom 10 in team ERA with 4.76, hits allowed with 526, and home runs allowed, having given up 78. They also rank in the bottom five in reliever ERA with 5.25 and WHIP with 1.44.
Despite the pitching struggles, the offense has been a bright spot for Arizona this season. Arizona ranks in the top five in runs scored with 317, home runs with 87 and on-base percentage with .333. They’re batting .255 and they have 537 hits, which ranks inside the top 10 in the league.
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The contrast between the Diamondbacks’ pitching and hitting shows why it’s important to be a well-rounded team if you want to make a run in October.
Unfortunately for Arizona, its pitching may continue to struggle, as it was announced that Burnes will miss the remainder of the season to undergo Tommy John surgery.
It’s difficult for any team to make up for the production of its ace after losing them to injury. However, given that Burnes was one of the few bright spots in the Diamondbacks’ rotation, they may look to make moves at the trade deadline to either improve their roster or sell some of their assets and start looking towards next season.
The Diamondbacks don’t have a fantastic chance of winning the NL West, as the odds currently have them at +5000. The odds are even higher for Arizona to win the World Series at +8000; however, the Diamondbacks have a good opportunity to make the postseason at +130.
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