PHOENIX — The silver lining for the San Diego Padres this weekend is that they won’t have much at stake.
The Arizona Diamondbacks had a chance to seize a playoff position against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night but faltered after a controversial decision to bunt in the 10th inning. This move deprived Geraldo Perdomo, Corbin Carroll, and Gabriel Moreno of their opportunities when the stakes were high.
This misstep led to Thursday’s debacle, where the Dodgers decisively defeated the Diamondbacks 8-0, securing their 12th National League West title in 13 years.
With a record of 80-79, the Diamondbacks now find themselves two games behind for the third National League Wild Card spot, with only three games left in the season.
To adjust, Arizona rescheduled Zac Gallen to pitch on Friday against the Padres, citing matchup considerations and the need for an extra day of rest due to illness. Instead, they started Jalen Beeks and followed with Nabil Crismatt for a bullpen-focused game, which ultimately backfired.
While Beeks had a solid first inning, he gave up a home run to Freddie Freeman in the second, and Crismatt quickly followed suit by allowing even more runs. Manager Torey Lovullo stressed the importance of swift decisions, given the team’s precarious position.
With their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, the Diamondbacks must sweep the Padres to have a chance at the postseason. “We’ve backed ourselves into a corner,” Lovullo acknowledged. The Reds and Mets are also in the mix, complicating Arizona’s chances as the season comes to a close.
