Pave Ruth

The Diamondbacks suffered a devastating 9-2 loss to the Miami Marlins, pushing them further away from the NL Wild Card race. This loss marked their second consecutive series against sub .500 teams, leading to a wave of despair and copium among fans. The team was set to face off against the New York Yankees, who had already secured a spot in the postseason with a chance at the AL East title.

Gerrit Cole and Cam Schlittler were the stars of the Yankees' rotation, making it a challenging series for the Diamondbacks. Eduardo Rodriguez, the Diamondbacks' best starter, struggled mightily in the series opener, with a 7.84 ERA in the first inning, which did not improve as the game progressed. However, Pavin Smith stepped up in a pinch-hitting role, delivering a walk-off homer and providing a glimmer of hope for the Diamondbacks.

Despite the loss, the Diamondbacks showcased some offensive resurgence, led by Nolan Arenado's clutch grand slam in the final home game of the regular season. The final three home games against the Colorado Rockies were deemed crucial for the Diamondbacks' playoff hopes, as a loss compounded with a Padres win, or two losses for the Diamondbacks and a Padres win, would seal their fate.