The Arizona Diamondbacks were included in MLB.com’s list of five potential World Series matchups featuring teams that failed to make the postseason a year prior.
While the D-backs have finished outside of the postseason in back-to-back seasons, MLB Data & Research Senior Coordinator David Adler believes the Diamondbacks can make a return to the fall classic behind an offense led by a trio of players who finished inside the top 25 of MLB Network’s top 100 players.
The D-backs’ lineup is just as dangerous as it was last season — Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll, and breakout star Geraldo Perdomo aren’t going anywhere, and they’ve added Nolan Arenado. Now, the pitching staff is still a big question mark. But Arizona can score its way to the postseason, and if the club can make a couple of pitching moves along the way — re-sign Gallen, to start — that would help a lot. So will getting Burnes back down the stretch.
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One of those pitching moves came this week, with Arizona acquiring Orioles relief pitcher Kade Strowd in a trade for utility man Blaze Alexander.
The D-backs, however, will also need to navigate the loss of left-handed reliever Andrew Saalfrank, who is reportedly out for the year after undergoing shoulder surgery.
The Strowd addition plus starter Corbin Burnes’ return from injury, re-signing both Taylor Clarke and Merrill Kelly and getting Josh Grosz in return for outfielder Jake McCarthy gives the D-backs more to work with in the starting rotation and bullpen.
As for the D-backs’ opponent in 2026, Adler predicts a rematch with the Texas Rangers.
If the Pats and Seahawks can have their rematch, why can’t the D-backs and Rangers?
Like Arizona, Texas’ 2023 title run was also the team’s last postseason appearance. An 81-81 campaign last season resulted in the Rangers replacing manager Bruce Bochy with Skip Schumaker and adding pieces like outfielder Brandon Nimmo and left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore.
According to Fan Duel Sportsbook, the Rangers have the 13th best odds to win the World Series at +2500. The D-backs are currently 20th at +6500.
However, considering the last time the World Series featured two teams that missed the playoffs the previous year was Diamondbacks-Rangers in 2023, maybe there’s a chance lightning strikes twice?
from Arizona Sports https://ift.tt/kHbzRPC
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