After a slow start, Diamondbacks are primed for another deep postseason run

Less than two months ago, the defending National League champion Arizona Diamondbacks looked like their season was going to be a lost cause. On July 1, they sat 10.5 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.

While it was only 2.5 games out of a wild-card spot, the team struggled to score and the pitching staff was in array.

Fast forward to now and the D-backs are firmly in the playoff picture and have a serious shot to catch the Dodgers in the NL West, with only three games separating them from first place. With a 4.5-game lead in the wild card and riding a six-game winning streak, baseball is buzzing in the desert.

With star second baseman Ketel Marte and first baseman Christian Walker both currently on the injured list, the offense has been led by outfielders Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Jake McCarthy as well as offseason acquisitions in designated hitter Joc Pederson and third baseman Eugenio Suarez.

Acquired to fill Walker's spot in the lineup , first baseman Josh Bell has hit four home runs and has 11 RBI in 21 games with the Diamondbacks. Other contributors on offense include rookie catcher Adrian Del Castillo, who has slashed .341/.420/.591 with three home runs and 14 RBI in 13 games since being called up.

The pitching staff has also balanced out with starters Eduardo Rodriguez and Merrill Kelly both coming back from the injured list to join Zac Gallen and Brandon Pfaadt, giving the D-backs a playoff-worthy rotation to go with a bullpen that has found its answer at the closer position in reliever Justin Martinez.

After former closer Paul Sewald struggled in his return from the injured list, Martinez stepped up and looks like the next dominant closer in MLB. With one of the best Baseball Savant profiles in the league, the 23-year-old features a 100 mph sinker to go with a devastating splitter that has limited hitters to a .078 average and a wipeout slider that is almost as effective.

With Marte and Walker on the mend, they will give the Diamondbacks a major offensive boost as Marte was playing at an MVP-caliber level, slashing .298/.370/.560 with 30 home runs and 81 RBI in 116 games played.

Manager Torey Lovullo is in his eighth season as the leader of the Diamondbacks. His second postseason appearance led to a World Series berth last season and that experience will pay huge dividends as the playoffs approach.

While they may not be the star-studded juggernaut that they are trying to chase down in the NL West, the Diamondbacks have all the pieces needed to walk away with their second World Series title in franchise history in 2024.