D-backs’ Injury-Ravaged Rotation Keeps Wild Card Hopes Alive Ahead of Fenway Test

The Arizona Diamondbacks entered the week with a statement to make, and they made it — taking two of three from the NL West-leading Dodgers at Chase Field before hitting the road and winning two of three to stretch their last two series to a combined 4-2. At 66-59 (.528) through 125 games, Arizona sits squarely in the mix for an NL Wild Card spot, one game behind San Diego and firmly ahead of the pack chasing the third berth.

The most compelling story of their week, though, isn’t the momentum — it’s how they’ve generated it with a pitching staff that’s barely recognizable.

A Rotation Held Together by Tape

The Diamondbacks’ injury report reads like a who's who of their projected 2026 rotation. Corbin Burnes (60-day IL), Zac Gallen (60-day IL), and Ryne Nelson (60-day IL) are all out, along with key relievers A.J. Puk, Justin Martinez, and Andrew Saalfrank. Ryne Nelson's shoulder inflammation, first reported in September, proved to be the tipping point for a staff that has leaned heavily on depth.

Manager Torey Lovullo’s group has responded. Over the last 10 games, the pitching staff owns a 2.94 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP, and the bullpen has been the anchor all season — a 3.05 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 23 saves in 33 opportunities. That unit has absorbed the losses of Burnes and Gallen, who were supposed to front this rotation.

The next man up is Mitch Bratt, who gets the ball Monday night at Fenway Park. The young right-hander’s most recent big-league outing came in late June, when he allowed one run over three innings in a spot start. He'll be tasked with slowing a Boston offense that supports a Red Sox staff ranking third in MLB with a 3.42 ERA.

The Offense Is Doing Its Part

Arizona’s lineup hasn't been overwhelming, but it's been steady: a .246 batting average, .322 on-base percentage, and a .726 OPS with 121 home runs on the season. They've shown an ability to erupt — the 9-0 drubbing of Colorado on Aug. 11 and a 10-3 road win on Aug. 15 showcased an offense that can carry a game when the pitching falterers.

The underlying metrics look even better recently. Over their last five games, the offense is hitting .268 with a .329 OBP and an .862 OPS. That's the kind of production that keeps a team alive in a crowded Wild Card race.

The Road Ahead

The matchup at Fenway presents a significant test. Boston holds a top-three team ERA, and the oddsmakers' implied probabilities reflect the challenge — the Red Sox are roughly a -138 favorite, with Arizona at about +126.

Maybe more importantly for the big picture, the D-backs' September schedule includes three games at Petco Park against the Padres — the team they're chasing directly in the standings — plus a late-season trip to Coors Field. Those head-to-head series could decide who plays deep into October.

As Lovullo said recently: "Everybody in that room believes we can tell a really good story and our journey is very incomplete."

The journey gets harder before it gets easier. But a team that's survived three ace-level losses and still sits above .500 has already shown it can absorb blows. The next test is in Boston — and it could tell us a lot about whether this rebuilt rotation can hold up under the weight of a playoff chase.