PHOENIX — Some might have written off the Diamondbacks’ season on the July 31 Commerce Deadline after they traded a number of of their big-name veterans, however beware as a result of the Snakes are nonetheless alive within the postseason chase.
Arizona moved one other sport nearer to the third and remaining NL Wild Card spot Saturday, beating the Pink Sox, 5-1, at Chase Area.
“Like I mentioned earlier than the sequence, the highest three hitters are wonderful,” Boston supervisor Alex Cora mentioned of the Diamondbacks. “They’re actually good at what they do. They set the tempo they usually’ve finished a tremendous job for 2 days.”
Cora has solely seen the previous two days, however in actuality Arizona has been enjoying this sort of baseball for some time now.
The Diamondbacks, who at the moment are 21-13 since Aug. 1, entered the day with the third-best document within the Majors over that span behind solely the Brewers and Phillies.
There may be nonetheless fairly a hill for the Diamondbacks to climb with simply 19 video games left to play within the season, however they positively have some momentum going of their favor.
“We really feel like we’re in a great place proper now,” reliever Jalen Beeks mentioned. “Clubhouse vibes are actually good. We’re simply enjoying good baseball proper now, and every little thing’s actually easy proper now, which is nice. So, we’re excited to see what occurs.”
The win raised the Diamondbacks’ document to 72-71, the primary time they’ve been over the .500 mark since they have been 43-42 after beating the Giants on July 1.
When common supervisor Mike Hazen traded veterans like third baseman Eugenio Suárez, first baseman Josh Naylor, outfielder Randal Grichuk and right-hander Merrill Kelly on the Commerce Deadline, he did so solely after watching his crew go 1-5 on a street journey and fall to seven video games below .500 at 51-58.
The strikes opened up enjoying time for second-year participant Blaze Alexander, and whether or not at third base or within the outfield, he has offered a spark each offensively and defensively.
After firing a 95-mph strike to residence plate Friday evening to chop down a runner, Alexander began Saturday’s sport at third base earlier than shifting to left discipline within the seventh inning. In his whole baseball enjoying life, Alexander had logged all of 1 inning in left.
Within the eighth, Alexander leaped on the wall and robbed Alex Bregman of a house run.
Beeks, who was on the mound on the time, tipped his hat in appreciation and after the sport marveled at Alexander’s athleticism.
“Clearly superior, going to be prime 10 [play] for some time,” Beeks mentioned. “So, from my perspective, very grateful. Higher than giving up a house run, however simply an superior play. He is simply an superior participant, and he is received lots of confidence proper now, and appears like he is doing fairly effectively all over the place he performs.”
Because the Diamondbacks proceed to win video games, the opportunity of making the playoff race attention-grabbing has began to really feel extra actual for observers, however Beeks mentioned that’s not a brand new factor within the clubhouse.
“I feel it’s been actual for us the entire time,” he mentioned. “I imply, I do know we received again to, what, 8 1/2 video games again at one level, or one thing like that, however we have been all the time like, ‘Man, go searching, we received lots of good gamers in right here.’”
Alexander mentioned he wasn’t positive what the standings have been, however he does know what the crew’s document is.
“I do know we’re over .500 now, and that is freaking superior,” he mentioned. “So let’s hold rolling. Let’s separate that hole and let’s have a look at the place we are able to find yourself in these subsequent 19 [games].”
