Diamondbacks' Playoff Hopes Dashed as Braves and Mets Clinch Spots

The Arizona Diamondbacks faced a harsh reality on Monday as they arrived at Chase Field for a light workout, filled with anxiety about their postseason fate. After hours of scoreboard watching, the news they dreaded confirmed their fears: the defending National League champions would not be returning to the playoffs.

The Final Blow

The Diamondbacks needed a sweep from either the Atlanta Braves or New York Mets in their doubleheader to keep their postseason hopes alive. However, both teams managed to secure playoff spots after splitting the games, leaving Arizona on the outside looking in. All three teams finished the regular season with identical 89-73 records, but the Mets and Braves held tiebreakers due to their superior head-to-head performances against the Diamondbacks.

As the final out was recorded, ace pitcher Zac Gallen could only watch, playing catch on the field before heading to the clubhouse, expressing disappointment about their missed opportunity. “I was planning on playing tomorrow,” he remarked, reflecting the sentiments of a team that believed they still had a chance.

Weather Woes and Missed Opportunities

The Mets-Braves doubleheader was necessitated by Hurricane Helene, which had washed out two games in Atlanta the previous week. Gallen noted the irony of the situation: “Who knew a hurricane was going to happen? That’s the bigger picture — people are losing their lives and homes. For me to get mad about a natural disaster would be a little tone deaf.”

However, he also pointed out that the Diamondbacks had the ability to control their own destiny, stating, “The more disappointing part is that we… didn’t come through. Didn’t execute.”

The D-backs were well aware of their position. They needed the Mets to win both games, but with their playoff spot already secured after the first game, the Mets lacked motivation in the second. The Braves, meanwhile, had every incentive to win, clinching their spot with a decisive 3-0 victory.

A Season of Frustration

First baseman Christian Walker emphasized that the blame lay solely with the team, not their rivals. “If we’re unhappy about it, that’s a time to look inward and say we could have done more and could have played better.”

This season’s end is particularly bitter for the Diamondbacks, who had made significant roster changes in hopes of replicating their surprise World Series run from last year. They acquired notable hitters like Eugenio Suárez, Joc Pederson, and Randal Grichuk, while bolstering their pitching staff with the additions of Jordan Montgomery and Eduardo Rodriguez.

Despite winning five more games than the previous season, the team fell just one win short of October baseball. Their inability to finish strong, with a disheartening 2-5 record in the season’s final week, has led to this disappointment.

Missed Chances and Looking Ahead

One of the pivotal moments that haunted the Diamondbacks was a catastrophic loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on September 22, where they squandered an 8-0 lead and ultimately lost 10-9. This marked the biggest blown lead that ended in a loss in franchise history, and it set the tone for their downward spiral.

“We controlled our own destiny for a little while there and let it slip out of our fingers,” pitcher Merrill Kelly lamented. “There are a lot of games that I think we let go.”

With the season now behind them, the Diamondbacks are left to reflect on their performance and contemplate how they can build upon their successes and address their shortcomings as they prepare for the next season.