Happy Monday! I hope you had an amazing weekend! Yesterday wasn’t just Father’s Day — it also marked the first day of monsoon season, though it seems like the storms are still far off.
I’ll get to the Diamondbacks below, but first, how are you planning to spend this summer? By the pool? At the ballpark? Somewhere that’s not as hot?! Wherever you’ll be, I’m proud the PHNX Sports Daily will be there in your inbox every weekday morning, keeping you up-to-date on all of your favorite teams!
Let’s make it a good week. On to the show!
— Patrick Brown, PHNX Sports Daily Editor
Series Win Over Padres Jumpstarts NL West Race
Don’t look now, but the Diamondbacks have thrown themselves right back into the postseason discussion.
Arizona just took two of three from San Diego, and though yesterday’s 8-2 loss overshadowed an otherwise meaningful Father’s Day at the ballpark, The D-backs had won five straight and have won nine of their last 13 games.
Saturday’s 8-7 triumph in front of nearly 38,000 fans was especially thrilling after the Diamondbacks rallied for five runs in the bottom of the ninth, led by Geraldo Perdomo’s three-RBI triple to right field.
Perdomo then scored on Josh Naylor’s ground ball, capping yet another stunning late-inning Answer-backs comeback while reinvigorating postseason hopes here in The Valley.
Diamondbacks’ Resilience Shines Through at Right Time
There have been tough injuries and tougher losses. No matter, because Arizona has just kept rolling as of late.
The team hit its lowest point of the season on May 31, falling four games under .500 after losing nine of 10. Since then, though, the Diamondbacks are 9-4 with series wins over the Padres, Mariners and Braves.
It’s an impressive turnaround, especially considering Arizona has lost ace Corbin Burnes and closer Justin Martinez for the rest of the season, and likely much of next year, too. A.J. Puk hasn’t seen any action since April 17, and his return remains in doubt after experiencing a setback in his rehab.
The D-backs signed free agent pitcher Anthony DeSclafani as a bullpen band-aid, and the 35-year-old righty allowed two runs on three hits in 2.1 innings against the Padres yesterday.
Still, Arizona has show a grittiness of sorts over the past few weeks, and the results show in the standings. The 36-35 D-backs are 6.5 games out of first in the West, but their Wild Card chances are still a very manageable 3.5 games. If they can stay within striking distance until the All-Star break, general manager Mike Hazen will have some tough decisions to make at the July 31 trade deadline.
The Diamondbacks kick off a nine-game road trip tomorrow, first against the 38-33 Blue Jays before facing the historically bad Rockies (14-57) and a White Sox team that’s only marginally better than last year’s historically bad version. In fact, five of Arizona’s final eight series before the Mid-Summer Classic are against teams below .500.
So, yeah, there’s still plenty of opportunity.
My Take: I have flip-flopped on the Diamondbacks multiple times this season, but I honestly have to give the team credit — a lesser group of players would have folded while facing this much adversity. Arizona is actually three games ahead of last year’s 89-win team, and a similar second-half surge would certainly put the team in a strong postseason position.
I suspect we’ll know a lot more by the middle of next month!
Midnight Strikes: The Wildcats saw their College World Series run end following back-to-back losses to Coastal Carolina and Louisville. Arizona completed an incredible season, winning the Big 12 in their first year while advancing to the College World Series for the 19th time, which is seventh-most in the nation. Congrats, Wildcats! Nothing to hang your heads about.
Copper State: Kahleah Copper notched 11 points in her first game of the season, and the Mercury topped the Aces 76-70 in Vegas yesterday to wrap up their Commissioner’s Cup slate of games. Phoenix is 4-2 in the in-season tournament, and though it doesn’t look like they’ll compete in the championship game, the team’s 8-4 start is a great sign for the new-look team.
The Mercury are back in action on Wednesday at Connecticut (2-8).
KD Here, KD There: There are so many different Kevin Durant trade scenarios, and it’s looking increasingly likely the superstar will be moved sooner, rather than later. Catch up on all of the possibilities — and what the haul would be in return — on the latest PHNX Suns pod!
It’s Getting Drafty: Make sure to check out the NBA Diehard Draft Guide — Led by ALLCITY draft analysts Derek Bodner of PHLY and Will Gottlieb of CHGO, this guide is your one-stop-shop as teams across the league gear up to reshape their rosters!
Note the Diehard draft guide is best viewed on desktop or tablet!
Long Time Coming: Rising FC extended its unbeaten streak, but its winning streak was halted at four following a 1-1 draw against SC Tulsa. Phoenix continues its three-match road trip on Saturday at Charleston Battery (4:30 pm, Arizona’s Family Sports), which is second in the Eastern Conference with a 9-1-2 record.
Tip Of The Hat By Branded Bills
But, seriously.
