D-backs sweep Dodgers, enter All-Star break in unique position

For the first time since September 2017, the Arizona Diamondbacks sweep the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

In a 5-3 win on Sunday, the snakes played a clean brand of baseball and took advantage of numerous sloppy mistakes by the Dodgers.

At the All-Star break, Arizona sits at 49-47 and within three games of the final NL Wild Card spot.

The first 96 games of the season have certainly been a roller coaster for Diamondbacks fans.

The offense has been sluggish at times while the pitching has been great. Vice versa when the starting pitching has struggled, the offense has sometimes stepped up.

The next five days will give this team some much needed rest, with only Corbin Carroll and Eduardo Rodriguez heading to Philadelphia for the All-Star game festivities.

In LA, Ryan Waldschmidt was banged up after a failed bunt attempt led to him getting hit in the hand Friday. He returned to the lineup on Sunday, so not much concern but some rest can help him. Tommy Troy ran into the wall tracking down a fly ball Saturday and has a right shoulder contusion that will be checked out further in Phoenix this week. Lourdes Gurriel looked a little gimpy in left field on Sunday, so time off his legs could be great for him. He’s still less than 10 months removed from ACL surgery.

Trade Deadline thoughts

Looking beyond the All-Star break, Mike Hazen has some interesting decisions to make.

He said a few weeks back that this team would be buyers at the deadline. Then they struggled for weeks, before going 2-2 against the Padres and 3-0 against the Dodgers on the road. So his current thought process is unknown.

This is a different situation than 2025, despite the record and trajectory being very similar. The fact is, this team doesn’t have players like Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suarez, and a year younger Merrill Kelly to trade away as “sellers” at the deadline.

The only valuable pieces that can be traded are in the bullpen, but I doubt Hazen wants to deconstruct the strength of the 2026 squad.

In fact, I could see a scenario where he decides to add to it, although not likely given the usual price of high end arms. 

The main additions this team expected in the pitching department by now were A.J Puk and Corbin Burnes. Both have suffered setbacks and most likely will not put on a jersey this year. Burnes has a chance to make a few starts in Septemeber, but many things would have to go right for that to happen.

Will a starter be added? Rodriguez has been the ace all year. Brandon Pfaadt has looked great while building up in his return from Reno (3-0). He made adjustments to his mechanics and has seemed to turn the table. Michael Soroka is on the 15-day IL, but should be back after the All-Star break. Merrill Kelly has been ok at times but has been mostly bad this season. Zac Gallen has been one of the worst qualified starters in the league. Mitch Bratt has shown promise in his two big league starts, but struggled to find the zone in three innings of work Sunday against the Dodgers.

So IF this team made the playoffs, the rotation would likely feature Rodriguez, Soroka, and Pfaadt. If Hazen sees it that way, he may want to add an arm rather than bank on the development of Bratt, the quick return of Burnes, or the bounce back of Kelly or Gallen.

Arms they could go after include: Tarik Skubal (high cost), Reid Detmers (great value), and Seth Lugo.

Now the one move that has to be made is one for more production at first base. Pavin Smith has been designated for assingnment. Tim Tawa hit multiple home runs in LA while starting at first, ad Ildemaro Vargas has been fine enough there. But that platoon won’t get the job done for a playoff push.

They could go after: Nathaniel Lowe (Reds), Christian Walker (Astros), and Willson Contreras (Red Sox).

It’s also important to know that another 40+ games of experience for Waldschmdt and Troy can be very valuable to the offense and the outfield if they continue to make adjustments. LuJames Groover could come back, but he hasn’t shown enough power yet to be more valuable at first than a platoon of Tawa/Vargas. 

Another potential difference maker for the offense could be Jordan Lawlar, who has been great when healthy… but the best ability is availability.

With all that said, I don’t expect many moves from Hazen if any at all. Power at first base would be great to ignite this offense, but it depends on the cost and how much Hazen believes this team can hold up for a run.