{
  "id": 10544811,
  "title": "D-backs Postmortem: Biggest Surprises, Shortcomings of 2026",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/d-backs-postmortem-biggest-surprises-shortcomings-of-2026",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-28T22:09:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/d-backs-postmortem-biggest-surprises-220904303.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2026 Arizona Diamondbacks season was a whirlwind of surprises and disappointments. Coming into the year with low expectations, due to roster uncertainty and a lengthy injured list, the team defied the odds and finished with an 86-76 record. However, they were unable to secure a playoff berth, as they were eliminated in the final series by the San Diego Padres. While the end was frustrating, there were notable positives throughout the season. One of the biggest surprises was the performance of the bullpen, which ranked 16th in the league with a 4.07 ERA, an 11-spot improvement and 75-point increase from previous years. Five relievers posted ERAs below 3.00, ranking fourth in the league with a Win Probability Added value of +8.24. Additionally, Diamondbacks designated hitter Gabriel Moreno had a breakout season, setting career highs in nearly every hitting category and narrowly winning the National League Batting Title. His performance was a testament to his health, as he played in a career-high 130 games. Another unexpected strength was third baseman Nolan Arenado, who had a resurgence at age 35, hitting 30 home runs and emerging as a leader on the young team. Finally, starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez's 2026 season was a difficult start, after posting back-to-back 5.00-plus ERAs with Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.",
  "summary": "“You can’t predict baseball” rings truer with each passing season. The 2026 Arizona Diamondbacks might have embodied that phrase as much as any other club. Expectations were not high for...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}