Cubs vs. Diamondbacks: The Ultimate Series Preview
The Arizona Diamondbacks: What’s Happening With the Team Right Now?
TL;DR: The Diamondbacks are in a wild-card race but playing inconsistently. Their star player Ketel Marte is out with a mysterious absence/knee issue, while catcher Gabriel Moreno is having a career year. The pitching staff has seen major bullpen changes.
The Big Mystery: Where Is Ketel Marte?
Imagine your best player just… doesn’t show up for work. That’s basically what happened with Ketel Marte.
What We Know
- Marte missed the opening game in Boston against the Red Sox
- This isn’t his first disappearance — he’s gone AWOL (Absent Without Leave) before
- Initially put on the restricted list (like a timeout for personal issues)
- Now on the Injured List (IL) with a bad knee that’s been bothering him for a while
What We Don’t Know
Important: Nobody outside the team really knows what’s going on. Fans and reporters are analyzing social media "likes" like detectives, but it’s all just guessing. The team is staying completely quiet.
Why This Matters for the Future
- Marte now has full no-trade rights — he can block any trade
- Combined with this incident, trading him would be very difficult
- We’ll have to wait until he’s healthy (and maybe until off-season) for answers
The Roller Coaster Season: Fighting for a Wild Card
The Diamondbacks are battling the Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres for a wild-card spot (a playoff spot for teams that didn’t win their division).
The Team’s Personality: "Consistently Inconsistent"
| One Week | Next Week |
|---|---|
| Beat the Dodgers (won season series for first time since 2018) | Lost series to the Rockies at home |
| Beat the Braves on the road | Struggled against the Reds (had to come back in 7th inning Sunday) |
The pattern: Early in the season, they only beat bad teams. Now? They seem to struggle most against bad teams.
The Unexpected Heroes: Who’s Carrying the Team?
With Marte out and other stars underperforming, new leaders have emerged.
Gabriel Moreno — The Surprise MVP
- Position: Catcher
- Batting Average:
.307(gets a hit ~31% of the time) - OPS+:
134(34% better than league average — this is excellent) - Simple translation: He’s been the team’s best hitter by far
Nolan Arenado — The Veteran Power
- Age: Older end of the spectrum
- Home Runs: 21 (tied for team lead!)
- Status: Surpassed expectations — doing better than people thought he would
Jordan Lawlar — The Young Hope
- Position: Outfielder
- Status: Just returned from another IL stint (injury list)
- Potential: If he stays healthy, could give the offense a big boost for the final stretch
Underperforming Stars
- Geraldo Perdomo — Well below last year’s production
- Corbin Carroll — Also well below last year (he was Rookie of the Year in 2023!)
Pitching Staff: Starters & The Bullpen Shuffle
The Starting Rotation (Games vs. Cubs)
- Brandon Pfaadt — Was on a great roll until getting hammered by the Red Sox
- Eduardo Rodriguez — Most consistent starter (reliable, steady)
- Merrill Kelly — The less said, the better (struggling significantly)
The Bullpen: Major Changes Since Last Time
| Player | What Happened | Current Role |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Sewald | Traded to Toronto (was the original closer) | Gone |
| Brandyn Garcia | Stepped up | Getting most saves (closing games) |
| Justin Martinez | Returned from Tommy John surgery (elbow ligament reconstruction) | Throws 102 mph! May become high-leverage option |
ELI5: What is "Tommy John Surgery"?
It’s a common surgery for pitchers where doctors replace a torn elbow ligament with a tendon from elsewhere in the body. Recovery takes 12-18 months. Justin Martinez missed a long time but is now back throwing extremely fast.
What Happens Next? A Step-by-Step Watch Guide
- Watch Marte’s return — When he comes back, how does he play? What’s the vibe?
- Track the wild-card race — Every game matters against Philly and San Diego
- Monitor Moreno & Arenado — Can they keep carrying the offense?
- Check Lawlar’s health — If he stays on the field, does the lineup get deeper?
- See the bullpen settle — Will Martinez take over closing duties? Will Garcia keep the role?
- Off-season decisions — The Marte situation will define the team’s future moves
Summary
The Diamondbacks are a talented but frustrating team right now:
- In the playoff hunt (wild-card race)
- Gabriel Moreno having a breakout year
- Nolan Arenado providing unexpected power
- Justin Martinez back throwing 102 mph
- Ketel Marte situation — mysterious, complicated, limits trade options
- Wild inconsistency — beat great teams, lose to bad ones
- Key young stars (Carroll, Perdomo) regressing
- Merrill Kelly struggling, bullpen still settling
Bottom line: This team could make noise in October if they find consistency and get Marte back healthy — but the off-season could look very different depending on how the Marte situation resolves.
FAQ
What does "restricted list" mean in baseball?
It’s a special list for players who aren’t playing due to personal reasons (not injury). The player doesn’t count against the roster, doesn’t get paid, and can’t play for any team. It’s used for things like family emergencies, legal issues, or — as speculated here — a player refusing to show up.
What is a "wild card" in MLB?
Each league (American & National) has three division winners that make the playoffs automatically. Then, the three next-best records (regardless of division) get "wild card" spots. The Diamondbacks are fighting for one of these three spots in the National League.
What is OPS+ and why is 134 good?
OPS = On-base Percentage + Slugging Percentage (measures getting on base + hitting for power).
OPS+ adjusts this for ballpark effects and league average. 100 = league average. So 134 means Moreno is 34% better than an average hitter — that’s All-Star level.
What are "no-trade rights"?
After a player has 10 years in MLB (last 5 with same team), they get full no-trade protection. The team cannot trade them without the player’s permission. Marte now has this, so even if the team wants to move him, he can say "no."
What does "high-leverage" mean for a reliever?
It means important situations — usually late in close games (tie game, 1-run lead, bases loaded). The manager trusts this pitcher in the most stressful moments. Justin Martinez’s 102 mph fastball makes him a weapon in these spots.