🐍 ‘Snakes Alive’ Again? Diamondbacks Stay in the Playoff Fight Behind New Heroes
PHOENIX — Just when it looked like the Arizona Diamondbacks were done, they’ve slithered right back into the playoff chase.
On Aug. 1, the D-backs were eight games under .500, trading away fan favorites like Eugenio Suárez and Merrill Kelly in what looked like a fire sale. Many fans wrote off the season. Fast forward six weeks, and Arizona has stunned the league with a 26–18 surge since the deadline — the sixth-best record in baseball — and sits just 1.5 games back of the Mets for the final Wild Card spot with nine to play.
⚾ Big Moments, New Faces
Arizona’s late-season fight has been fueled by unlikely heroes.
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James McCann was unsigned until June — now he’s hitting .333 with two HRs and six RBIs in September.
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John Curtiss dominated in relief before a rare stumble against the Giants.
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Jordan Lawlar, the top prospect, delivered a walk-off dribbler Tuesday night that sent Corbin Carroll flying home to beat San Francisco.
Even when stars like Brandon Pfaadt throw gems — like his nine scoreless one-hit innings Wednesday that went wasted in extra innings — it’s been these new faces picking up the slack when it matters most.
🗣️ Manager’s Message
Manager Torey Lovullo credits his team’s resilience:
“They had a chance to choose one road or another, and they stayed on the road they only know — play engaging baseball, have fun, and expect to win games.”
Veterans echo the sentiment. Alek Thomas said it best:
“It’s been cool to see guys come up and contribute. We aren’t relying on one swing or one pitcher — everybody’s stepping up.”
🔥 What’s Ahead
Arizona’s gauntlet to finish the season is no joke:
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Phillies (NL East champs)
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Dodgers (NL West leaders)
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Padres (on the road)
It’s survival mode from here, but that’s nothing new for this team.
🐍 Snakes Alive Vibes
In the clubhouse, a reminder of their improbable 2023 World Series run still hangs above Ryne Thompson’s locker: a paper with two simple words — “SNAKES ALIVE.”
Two years later, the mantra feels just as real. The D-backs are still alive, still dangerous, and still capable of shocking baseball when it counts.
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