PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks are looking to change their historical patterns.
In their 26 seasons, the Diamondbacks have never reached the playoffs with fewer than 44 wins halfway through the season—specifically after Game 81, rather than at the All-Star break. The current 2025 team stands at 41-40 after experiencing significant fluctuations in performance.
Fortunately for them, the introduction of a third Wild Card slot three years ago has allowed more teams to reach the postseason. Moreover, the Diamondbacks have historically pushed into September while having unimpressive mid-season records, a trend they continued last year.
For example, the 2024 Diamondbacks started the season 39-42 but ultimately finished at 89-73, failing to secure a playoff berth amidst a competitive National League.
Manager Torey Lovullo assessed the season’s first half as “inconsistent when healthy.” He has frequently expressed concerns about the team’s performance not reflecting the style of baseball typical of the Diamondbacks. He added that the team has shown improvement but acknowledged continuing inconsistency, largely attributed to injuries.
Lovullo mentioned that General Manager Mike Hazen often seeks his input on whether to be a buyer or seller as the trade deadline approaches. With the team struggling to surpass the .500 mark, it’s not an obvious decision. However, the Diamondbacks have indicated a willingness to acquire players if they see a chance to be competitive, despite having several veterans hitting free agency soon.
As of Sunday, the Diamondbacks were four games out of a playoff spot, needing to surpass four teams to secure the third Wild Card position. FanGraphs has assigned them a 20% chance of making the postseason, with the National League boasting a tight race featuring ten teams at or above .500.
