Diamondbacks Just Found their Plan to the Playoffs

The Locked On Diamondbacks podcast breaks down the team's recent 2-1 victory over the Brewers, highlighting a balanced performance with strong pitching and timely offense. Hosts Dana and Biggs outline a 'roadmap to the playoffs' centered on four key elements: deep starting pitching to protect the bullpen, sustained bullpen effectiveness, capitalizing on offensive opportunities, and forcing opposing starters out early to fatigue their bullpens. While the Diamondbacks showed promise in Game 2, the hosts express concern over the bullpen's unsustainable workload—multiple arms on pace for career-high games pitched, with limited depth due to few minor league options. They analyze potential solutions, including cycling in minor league arms like Yilber Diaz, Taylor Raschey, and Cade Stroud, though roster constraints limit flexibility. The episode concludes with cautious optimism, emphasizing that if the team can execute the roadmap—especially by improving starting pitching depth and offensive efficiency—the Diamondbacks have a real shot at postseason contention in 2026.