The Diamondbacks' playoff hopes hang by a thread as August's crucial stretch begins, with the team's manager knowing that every game matters.
For the Diamondbacks, the month of August has been a mixed bag so far, with a 4-3 record to start the month. However, the real test is yet to come, with five of their next eight series against teams in the playoff hunt.
The Dodgers, who the Diamondbacks beat 4-3 on Friday, are still reeling from their longest losing streak of the season, with seven straight losses. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks are riding a wave of momentum, with their fifth straight win against the Dodgers.
"We're in a good spot right now," said Diamondbacks relief pitcher Brandyn Garcia. "August is tough, no doubt. I think the All-Star break just kind of throws the flow off. You get those four days off and you're at home relaxing and then you have to get back to the grind and a playoff push, no less, it's tough."
The Diamondbacks' push for the playoffs is not just about their own performance, but also about the teams they're competing against. With the Cubs holding a 7½-game lead in the NL West, the Diamondbacks are tied with the Phillies for the second NL wild-card slot, six games behind the Cubs for the top wild card.
Arizona relief pitcher Gerardo Carrillo believes that the key to making the playoffs is to keep working and leaning on their recovery program. "I think it's important for us to keep working," he said. "When we hit a wall keep working, lean on our recovery, sleeping well is huge, just leaning on our program and the training we still do throughout the year."
The Diamondbacks' schedule for the rest of the month is packed with tough opponents, including the Dodgers, the Phillies, and the Cubs. With every game counting, the Diamondbacks will need to dig deep and find the energy to push through the "dog days" of August.
The Diamondbacks will continue their series against the Dodgers on Saturday and Sunday at Chase Field. With the stakes high and the competition fierce, the Diamondbacks will need to bring their A-game to stay in the hunt for the playoffs.
Source: Yahoo Sports
