Arizona Diamondbacks 2013 Style: A Lost Season

Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks were heading into their series against the Philadelphia Phillies, not only wanting, but needing to turn things around. They are in a position to treat every game like it is a playoff game. The D-Backs trail the Los Angeles Dodgers by 10.5 games for first place in the National League West, and sit 7 games behind the Cincinatti Reds for the second and final wild-card spot. They are fighting for their lives.

After dropping three out of four to the Cincinnati Reds in a pivotal series, Arizona would at least take advantage of Philly, a team which sits in fourth place in the NL East, right? No. After a 4-3 loss to the Phillies on Friday night, the Snakes are playing as though they have given up on the season, like they are ready for their extended vacation and do not want any part of October baseball.

This is the D-Backs’ most important road trip of the season, and through eight games of it thus far, they have just three of them. That will not cut it. Whether it is the hitting, pitching, the coaching or a combination of the three, it is just not clicking for the 2013 Arizona Diamondbacks. With a record of 65-62, playing .500 baseball (more or less) will simply not get it done.

For the team which finished 94-68 just two seasons ago, this is a dramatic, and disappointing difference. GM Kevin Towers has made trade after trade, and while they might seem solid on paper, they are not translating to long-term success on the field. It wasn’t too long ago (July 18) that the D-Backs were in first place in their division with a 2.5 game lead over the Dodgers.

Just like Eric Chavez said at the All-Star break,

"“I think we’ve done probably better than people expected. Nobody picked us.”"

Maybe there was a good reason “nobody” picked your team, Eric.