D-backs Reach Peak Levels of Offensive Futility Against Pirates

With rumors swirling around the trade deadline, the Arizona Diamondbacks dropped a dud against the Pittsburgh Pirates. They scored just one run in three games, tying a franchise record for fewest runs scored in a three-game span. Despite that, it marked the first time that they managed to win one of those games.

General manager Mike Hazen has already begun the selloff ahead of the deadline. Josh Naylor and Randal Grichuk have already been dealt. Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, and Eugenio Suárez are primed to go in the next four days. Both Gallen and Kelly may have made their final start in a D-backs uniform.

As the complexion of the club is set to change, Hazen has to focus on the future. While it will take time for those efforts to bear fruit, we can only evaluate what’s happening in the present. And it’s safe to say that the on-field results, especially offensively, are unsatisfactory.

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D-backs Reach Peak Levels of Offensive Futility

If not for the machinations of MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and his ghost runner rule, there’s a good chance the D-backs could have been shut out for the entire series and in the middle of a six-game losing streak. In their last six games, the team has scored a total of eight runs. In four of their last five games, they’ve scored one run or fewer.

In the entire series against Pittsburgh, they went hitless with a runner in scoring position in 19 at-bats. The problems reared their ugly head against Pirates ace Paul Skenes. In three consecutive innings, the team had a prime scoring opportunity thanks to three extra-base hits (two doubles and a triple). Not only did the team fail to score, but they had non-competitive at-bats when the team could not afford them. Skenes deserves credit for throwing some obscene pitches, which is why he’s the favorite to win the NL Cy Young Award this season, but the hitters still deserve a lot of the blame for failing to execute.

Sharing further frustrations on the series, they struggled to put any pressure on both Mike Burrows and Andrew Heaney. Burrows is a rookie who had 10 MLB starts to his name, and Heaney had an ERA over 5.00 entering his start. Against those two pitchers, they managed just four hits and one walk.

With the lineup likely to lose two of their most reliable run-producers to trades, it’s now a matter of figuring out who they can count on not only to close out this season, but 2026. They still have Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo, and Corbin Carroll available, although the latter’s issues deserve its own piece.

Brandyn Garcia Makes D-backs Debut

The series finale saw the D-backs debut for left-hander Brandyn Garcia. The centerpiece in the Josh Naylor deal, Garcia has the type of stuff to be a back-of-the-bullpen arm. At the current stage of his career, he’s still adjusting to life in the big leagues.

From my observations on the broadcast, it seemed like Garcia was anxious to get this appearance out of the way. His command was hit-or-miss, but the stuff was effective. After a leadoff walk, he finished the inning with a pair of ground balls, including a 6-4-3 double play for his first two outs recorded as a Diamondback.

It should be no surprise that both balls put into play were ground balls. Since his sinker (4.0”) and sweeper (3.5”) get considerably more drop than what’s typical of the two offerings at the same velocity and spin, he should be a ground ball heavy pitcher.

He generated a whiff on a perfectly-located sinker on the low-outside corner to Isiah Kiner-Falefa and a slider to Henry Davis that fooled him despite missing in the middle of the plate. Garcia should unlock more swing-and-miss with better command of his pitches, which is simply something that will take more reps to get a better feel for.

If you’re interested in my scouting report on the D-backs’ newest left-hander, check it out!

Tristin English Collects First Knock Against Skenes

While there wasn’t much offense to speak of in the series, there was a historic milestone set on Sunday. In the third inning, rookie first baseman Tristin English lined a double down the right field line for his first major league hit. That will be a memory that English will forever cherish, and should be a cool story to share if Paul Skenes has the career he’s supposed to have.

English himself is hoping to build some relevancy for his career beyond just that one hit. With Naylor now a Mariner, he has the runway to establish himself as a potential first base or short-side platoon DH with Pavin Smith or Adrian Del Castillo in 2026.

I wrote a report about English and his potential fit with the club earlier this month.

What’s Next?

The D-backs will travel to Detroit to take on the American League Central-leading Detroit Tigers (61-46). The Tigers have scuffled of late, having dropped 12 of their last 14 games. The series will serve as a measuring stick for the club, especially their longer-term pieces. The team can ill-afford to play as uninspired as they did against the Pirates, or more fingers will start pointing at Torey Lovullo and his coaching staff.

D-backs Probable Starters: LHP Eduardo Rodríguez, RHP Brandon Pfaadt, RHP Ryne Nelson

Tigers Probable Starters (unannounced): RHP Troy Melton, RHP Reese Olson, RHP Keider Montero

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Michael McDermott blends the sharp eye of a scout and the insight of an analyst to provide the best and most comprehensive coverage on the Arizona Diamondbacks. Michael has been credentialed for 50 MLB games at Chase Field, the last three years of the Arizona Fall League, and has written about the team for more than 10 years.