Daily News 19

Tag: NL Wild Card race

  • Diamondbacks Announce Lineup for Crucial Game 2 vs. Marlins

    Diamondbacks Announce Lineup for Crucial Game 2 vs. Marlins

    Diamondbacks Set Lineup for Crucial Game 2 Against Marlins as Playoff Race Tightens

    The Arizona Diamondbacks remain alive in the National League Wild Card hunt after a dramatic Monday night victory, and they have unveiled their batting order for a pivotal Tuesday showdown with the Miami Marlins at Chase Field.

    Carroll’s Walk-Off Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive

    Arizona entered the week in a precarious position, with every game carrying postseason implications. Star outfielder Corbin Carroll delivered a two-run walk-off home run on Monday, preventing the club from losing ground in the crowded Wild Card standings and setting the stage for a potential series win.

    New Addition Jesus Sanchez Makes Immediate Impact

    The most notable change to the lineup is the debut of newly acquired outfielder and designated hitter Jesus Sanchez. The Diamondbacks claimed the left-handed hitter off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, and he officially joined the active roster Tuesday afternoon. To make room, rookie utility player Tommy Troy was optioned to Triple-A Reno.

    Sanchez, who appeared for Toronto as recently as August 25 against the Kansas City Royals, is expected to see the majority of his playing time at designated hitter. Defensive metrics have graded him as a below-average outfielder this season, but his offensive profile addresses a specific roster need: Arizona has struggled against right-handed pitching, and Sanchez carries pronounced reverse splits that suggest he can provide immediate production in those matchups. With a heavy dose of right-handed starters looming in the season’s final stretch, his arrival is timely.

    Pavin Smith Earns First Start at First Base Since Recall

    Another left-handed bat returns to the infield. Pavin Smith, who was designated for assignment on July 10 before being brought back to the major-league roster on September 12, will make his first start at first base since his recall. In two previous appearances as the designated hitter, Smith has gone 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI, offering a glimpse of the contact-oriented approach the coaching staff values in high-leverage spots.

    Lineup Configuration for Game 2

    With Sanchez slotted in as the DH and Smith taking over at first, the Diamondbacks are stacking left-handed offense to counter Miami’s right-handed pitching. The move signals a clear “win-now” posture from the front office and manager Torey Lovullo as the club navigates the most critical week of the 2026 season to date.

    This article was originally published on Sports Illustrated as “Diamondbacks Reveal Lineup for Critical Game 2 vs Marlins.”

  • Corbin Carroll Hits Walk-Off Home Run as Diamondbacks Beat Marlins

    Corbin Carroll Hits Walk-Off Home Run as Diamondbacks Beat Marlins

    The Arizona Diamondbacks rallied for a dramatic 8-7 walk-off victory over the Miami Marlins at Chase Field on Monday night, keeping their National League Wild Card hopes alive. Corbin Carroll delivered the decisive blow, a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning that capped a comeback from a 7-4 deficit after seven innings.

    Carroll’s Clutch Homer Shifts Momentum

    The win carries significant weight in the tight NL Wild Card race. The San Diego Padres, who currently hold the final spot, defeated the Colorado Rockies earlier in the evening. Had Arizona lost, they would have fallen 3½ games behind San Diego with a crucial three-game series in San Diego looming to close the regular season. Instead, the victory may have shifted momentum in the Diamondbacks’ favor.

    Manager Torey Lovullo described the win as a potential catalyst.

    “We kept plowing away at it, and it was a great win,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “We know what was going on around us. We haven’t been playing great baseball, and to win a game like that today is, in my opinion, one of those catalyst type of games that pushes you forward and gets you ready for the next day.”

    Ninth-Inning Drama Unfolds

    The rally began in the eighth inning when Jordan Lawlar launched a two-run homer to cut the Marlins’ lead to 7-5. In the ninth, Miami closer Pete Fairbanks walked Gabriel Moreno to start the inning. Fairbanks threw one pitch to Geraldo Perdomo before exiting with an injury, bringing Jack Ralston into the game.

    Perdomo laid down a bunt to advance pinch-runner Tommy Troy to second base, setting the stage for Carroll. During the extended warm-up period for Ralston, Carroll prepared a specific approach.

    “I had a lot of confidence Perdomo was going to do his job,” Carroll said. “So I had an idea that there would be a runner on second, and was just kind of thinking through his pitches and what he might be likely to go with.”

    With first base open, Carroll stayed patient, hunting a pitch in the middle of the zone. On a 2-1 count, Ralston left a splitter up, and Carroll crushed it to right field for the game-ending home run.

    Overcoming a Prolonged Slump

    The home run was a significant moment for Carroll, who has been grinding through a difficult stretch at the plate while managing a lower back issue. Entering the at-bat, he was just 8-for-59 (.136) in his previous 65 plate appearances. Lovullo praised the outfielder’s resilience and commitment.

    “We know what Corbin’s been grinding through,” Lovullo said. “We watch it every single day, you guys included. But he continues to fight, and he commits. He commits to what he’s going to do in the box. He commits to being present and engaged in the box, he commits to being a great teammate and coming through, and it was a good moment for him.”

    Carroll Unaware of Padres Result

    In a testament to his singular focus, Carroll revealed after the game that he was unaware the Padres had won earlier in the night.

    “Honestly, I didn’t know they won,” Carroll said. “I didn’t know they won today. I missed that one.”

    The hanging splitter, however, he did not miss. The walk-off keeps Arizona within striking distance in the Wild Card race and provides a much-needed confidence boost heading into the final stretch of the season.