The injury-plagued D-backs face the A's on Aug 1, 2025. Can Arizona's top-5 offense overcome the loss of Corbin Burnes and a 4.51 team ERA? Preview here.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
As the Diamondbacks prepare to face the Oakland Athletics tonight, their 22-20 record tells a story of pure grit. Hovering above .500, the team is fighting a war on two fronts: one against their opponents on the field, and another against a relentless wave of injuries that has crippled their pitching staff. Tonight's game is more than just another box score; it's a test of this team's resolve.
The D-backs' identity is clear: a top-5 offense (5.0 runs per game) tasked with overcoming a bottom-tier pitching staff (4.51 ERA, 24th in MLB).
On paper, the matchup against the 21-20 Athletics looks even. Both clubs are hovering around .500 and have been treading water with 5-5 records in their last 10 games. The key difference lies in how they get there. The D-backs rely on their powerful offense, which ranks 5th in the majors by plating 5 runs per game. The A's, with a respectable .259 team batting average, present a formidable challenge. The question tonight is simple: can Arizona's bats outslug their own pitching deficiencies?
You can't discuss the D-backs' season without acknowledging the devastating injuries to the pitching staff. The list of season-ending casualties is staggering: Corbin Burnes (Tommy John), Blake Walston (Tommy John), and Christian Montes De Oca (back surgery). Add in Cristian Mena's ongoing shoulder strain, and it's clear why the team's 4.51 ERA is among the league's worst. This isn't just bad luck; it's a catastrophic loss of talent that puts immense pressure on every arm left standing and every hitter in the lineup to produce.
The challenges extend beyond the mound. Center fielder Alek Thomas remains on the bereavement list, and the team's thoughts are with him and his family. In his absence, Jake McCarthy will hold down center field, while top prospect Jorge Barrosa gets a chance to show his stuff. Barrosa has been tearing it up in Triple-A Reno, boasting a .300 average and an .820 OPS, including a monster 29-game hitting streak earlier this year. His call-up, along with the recent reinstatement of a healthy Ketel Marte, provides a much-needed spark and depth for a lineup that knows it has to carry the load.
Tonight's game against the A's is a microcosm of the D-backs' 2025 season: a high-powered offense trying to outrun the shadow of an injury-plagued pitching staff. Every win is a hard-fought battle, a testament to the 'next man up' mentality. As the first pitch approaches, fans will be watching to see if the bats can once again be the heroes this team desperately needs.
