The Arizona Diamondbacks have surged back into playoff contention, winning six consecutive games to close the gap on the Philadelphia Phillies for the final National League Wild Card spot.
Why it matters: The Diamondbacks were on the brink of elimination just a week ago. Now, with two games left in the regular season, they find themselves just one game behind the Phillies, who have stumbled in recent outings.
A week ago, the Diamondbacks were five games out of the last NL Wild Card position after losing to the Yankees 9-2.
Since that loss, Arizona has won six straight games, including a sweep of the Rockies and a decisive 11-4 victory over the Padres.
The D-backs' record now stands at 86-74, trailing the Phillies (87-73) by just one game.
Arizona holds a tiebreaker advantage over the Phillies due to a superior intra-divisional record, which could be key if teams finish with the same win-loss record.
Driving the news: The Diamondbacks' recent success has reignited their postseason aspirations. Their latest win against the Padres came after a series of disappointing performances that had them questioning their playoff viability.
Arizona's six-game winning streak includes a sweep of the Rockies and a win against the Padres on Friday night.
This resurgence comes as the Phillies have lost three consecutive games, struggling with a 5-6 record over their last 11 games.
The Diamondbacks need to win both of their remaining games against the Padres to secure a chance at the playoffs.
State of play: With only two days left in the regular season, the playoff picture remains fluid. The Diamondbacks are not in control of their destiny, as their fate partly relies on the performance of the Phillies.
If the Diamondbacks go 2-0, they can advance if the Phillies go 1-1 or worse.
If Arizona finishes 1-1, the Phillies must lose both of their games against the Rays for the D-backs to take the Wild Card.
The Phillies face a potential weather delay this weekend, as heavy rain from a Nor'easter is forecasted to hit Philadelphia.
The big picture: The playoff race in the National League is tight, with multiple teams vying for Wild Card spots. The Diamondbacks' success has implications beyond their own playoff hopes.
The San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs have already secured playoff berths but are still battling for seeding.
The Padres lead the Cubs by 1.5 games for the first Wild Card spot, which carries home-field advantage in the Wild Card Series.
As for the Phillies, they need to turn their fortunes around quickly to avoid missing the playoffs after a disappointing stretch.
What they're saying: The Diamondbacks' players and coaching staff are optimistic following their recent successes, acknowledging that they must remain focused.
"We’re feeling good right now. We just need to keep it going and take care of business against the Padres," said Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo.
Players emphasized the importance of staying in the moment and not getting ahead of themselves as they chase the postseason.
Meanwhile, Phillies players expressed frustration over their recent losses, recognizing the urgency to win their final games.
By the numbers: The Diamondbacks' recent performance has been impressive, and the statistics highlight their turnaround.
Arizona has scored a total of 56 runs during their six-game winning streak, averaging over 9 runs per game.
The D-backs have improved their record to 32-18 within their division, giving them the tiebreaker over the Phillies.
In stark comparison, the Phillies have gone 5-13 in their last 21 games, raising concerns about their playoff readiness.
Between the lines: The current playoff scenarios for the Diamondbacks reveal the precarious nature of their situation.
Even if Arizona wins their last two games, they rely on the Phillies' performance against the Rays to determine their postseason fate.
With the forecasted rain potentially impacting the Phillies' games, the Diamondbacks’ chances could hinge on weather conditions as much as their own performance.
The upcoming games promise to be intense, with both teams aware of what's at stake.
What's next: The Diamondbacks face the Padres in their final two games of the season, starting Saturday night.
Saturday's game is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. ET, followed by a Sunday afternoon matchup at 3:10 p.m. ET.
The Phillies will also play the Rays on Saturday at 7:15 p.m. ET and Sunday at 3:05 p.m. ET.
As the regular season winds down, attention will turn to both series, as the playoff picture could shift dramatically in the next few days.
With the stakes higher than ever, the Diamondbacks have a shot at the postseason, but they’ll need to capitalize on every opportunity to secure their place in October baseball.