PHOENIX − They are among the most formidable teams in baseball.

They excel in hitting, base running, drawing walks, making contact, pitching, and exhibiting outstanding defense, all while overflowing with confidence.

They could easily resemble last year’s Arizona Diamondbacks, who unexpectedly entered the playoffs and enjoyed a remarkable run to the World Series.

This season’s squad?

Indeed  it’s the 2024 Arizona Diamondbacks.

Keep your eyes peeled; with the way the D-backs are performing and the resilience they’ve displayed, they could very well make another trip to the World Series.

Yes, the Diamondbacks are indeed that impressive.

“Although we made it to the World Series last year, I believe this year’s team is even better,’’ said veteran pitcher Merrill Kelly in an interview with YSL News Sports. “Our bullpen is especially strong, the best it’s been since I’ve joined the team.

“We’ve faced challenges and injuries, but where we stand now shows we are a better team. There’s every reason to believe we can surpass our previous success this year.

“We all have that conviction.’’

Philadelphia Phillies All-Star first baseman Bryce Harper added, “They’re not intimidated. They play with heart and hustle. They’ve got hitters, walkers, excellent pitchers, and a strong bullpen. They’re a solid team.’’

They could even be a great team, possibly contending deep into October yet again, with the potential to be the last team to celebrate with champagne.

“They’re as competitive as anyone,’’ remarked Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black. “They have numerous ways to win. They possess power hitters, speedsters capable of stealing bases, and perhaps the best defense in baseball. Their outfield coverage is remarkable, and they have strong arms throughout both the bullpen and rotation.

“You could argue they’re even better than last year, which is quite frightening.”

With the postseason approaching in five weeks, there isn’t a clear favorite. No team is on track to achieve 100 wins this season. Uniquely, for the first time since 1959, we might not even see a team reach 95 wins.

This dynamic is why the D-backs, who had a slow start for the first three months and held a significant team meeting early in the season, are making their mark decisively.

For the past two months, no team has performed better than the Diamondbacks (72-56). Since July 3, they boast a record of 31-12, leading the majors in victories, OPS (.844), on-base percentage (.351), slugging percentage (.492), runs per game (6.49), and total bases (759). They’ve also hit an MLB-leading 36 home runs in August.

The concerning aspect?

They show no signs of slowing down and are solidly in a wild-card position while challenging the Los Angeles Dodgers’ reign in the NL West. Having recently swept the Miami Marlins, they now sit tied with the San Diego Padres for second place in the NL West, preparing for their first Fenway Park visit in eight years this weekend for a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox.

The D-backs possess a formidable offense, even with key players Ketel Marte and Christian Walker sidelined. Center fielder Jake McCarthy is hitting .388 with five home runs and 24 RBIs over his last 24 games, while right fielder Corbin Carroll has 12 home runs since July 7 and a .964 OPS in August, boasting a career-high streak of 31 consecutive games reaching base. Third baseman Eugenio Suarez leads the league with 35 RBIs since July 7.

Pitchers Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez made their return to the rotation in August after being out since April. Their bullpen is strengthened with recent acquisitions A.J. Puk and Dylan Floro, which enhances their depth. Despite injuries to Walker (oblique), catcher Gabriel Moreno (strained groin), and MVP candidate Marte (sprained ankle), who has only played one full game since August 8, the D-backs have shown remarkable resilience, leading the majors with a 17-5 record since July 29.

Whether it’s first baseman Josh Bell smashing four homers in his first six games since joining on August 2, rookie catcher Adrian Del Castillo earning a call-up on August 6 and driving in 14 RBIs in his first nine games (one shy of the MLB record), or utility infielder Kevin Newman posting a .346 batting average during Marte’s absence, new stars emerge every night.

“I think that showcases the culture we’ve built here,’’ noted D-backs ace Zac Gallen. “Aside from Ketel, who is having an MVP-worthy season, it seems like every night a new player steps up to deliver a crucial hit or a strong performance. It’s not predictable; that’s a hallmark of a great team.’’

This mentality and resilience—winning 15 games after being behind in the seventh inning or later—originated from a pivotal team meeting held by D-backs manager Torey Lovullo on May 4.

Following a disheartening 13-1 loss to the Padres that dropped their record to 14-20, Lovullo decided enough was enough.

“It wasn’t so much about the game itself,’’ Gallen shared, “but more about the atmosphere. Despite missing some key players, we knew we had a solid ballclub filled with talent.

“Since that moment, we decided, ‘We’re not going to feel sorry for ourselves because we’ve lost guys; we’ve got plenty of talent here, so let’s just make it happen.’”

We need to focus on our goals and not let games slip away.

“Things started to come together,”

Lovullo stated: “I was frustrated. I made it clear that they are a good team, and we shouldn’t make excuses. We can’t let the absence of other players be a reason for our mistakes. Our lack of focus was intolerable. The talent in this room is enough to keep us competitive. Let’s aim to be within reach by the All-Star break, and then we will be fine because I knew we had great players returning.”

“They responded positively,”

And since then, they have consistently improved.

By the All-Star break, the D-backs had earned a record of one game above .500 at 49-48, trailing the Dodgers by seven games.

“We moved on quickly,” Suarez mentioned. “That was the essence of the meeting that day. We shifted our energy right after it. We all recognized our great talent, but we focused on building trust. With so many injuries, we knew changes would come, and they did.”

“Look at where we are now.”

This is a team that struggled with a 5-20 record post-All-Star break last season, nearly missing the playoffs, but now they are thriving with a record of 23-8, and visions of a World Series victory are alive.

As they reminded everyone last year, it’s dangerous to let them get on a roll.

“I believe this team has improved since last year,” Carroll commented, playing a crucial role in the D-backs’ revival, boasting nine home runs, with a .612 slugging percentage and .951 OPS in the second half after hitting only two home runs with a .310 slugging percentage by July 6. “Our pitching rotation is stronger. Our bullpen has improved. Our offense is enhanced with the new players. Whenever we step out, we stand a chance against anyone.”

Last year, the D-backs were the last team to make the postseason, surprising everyone by sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers in the first round, also sweeping the Dodgers in the NL Division Series, and defeating the Phillies in seven games in the NLCS, before ultimately losing to the Texas Rangers in the World Series.

The D-backs’ management and ownership promised to reinvest the postseason profits back into the team, and they kept their word. They signed Rodriguez for a four-year contract worth $80 million, brought in outfielder/DH Joc Pederson for a one-year deal worth $12.5 million, and obtained Suarez along with the $13 million remaining on his contract. When Rodriguez suffered a shoulder strain during spring training, they quickly entered the free agent market again, securing Jordan Montgomery for a one-year contract worth $25 million, with a player option likely vesting for at least $22.5 million in 2025. When Walker was sidelined right before the trade deadline, they didn’t hesitate, acquiring first baseman Bell from the Marlins and covering $2.5 million of his salary.

With a franchise-high payroll of $175 million, the D-backs are hoping that another deep playoff run will not only boost their attendance but also pave the way for a new ballpark.

“The postseason and World Series run played a significant role in our choice to increase player salaries as much as we could,” said Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall. “All the unexpected revenue has been reinvested in our 2024 team.”

The D-backs’ recent success, bouncing back from a 110-loss season just three years ago, has energized their fanbase. They have experienced the second-largest attendance rise in baseball, at 16.4%, only trailing the Baltimore Orioles. The Diamondbacks are attracting an average of 27,569 fans per game, projected to hit their highest attendance numbers since 2008.

Winning, especially in this desert region, attracts fans.

And should they clinch the NL West title and break the Dodgers’ stronghold (who have claimed 10 divisional titles in the past 11 years), the city knows how to celebrate.

“While it may not carry the same weight as before, winning the division is still our aim,” Kelly remarked. “The Dodgers have dominated the division for the last decade. So, it would be exciting for the fans to witness that.”

An incredible celebration would take place at Chase Field if they won the division for the first time since 2011, finally overcoming the formidable Dodgers, who will visit for a four-game series over Labor Day weekend.

“As shown last year and in previous seasons,” Gallen said, “it does not matter if you win the division or if you are the last wild-card team. Your goal is just to qualify for the playoffs and make an impact in October.”

“We’ll be prepared.”

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