​I’m back after a break, returning from a relaxing spell in Wyoming and some time away from the daily grind. I appreciated the support from James and Justin while I was gone. Normal service is resuming. Here’s June’s update.
In early June, Diamondbacks fans had reason for optimism. May ended with a winning record and a +32 run differential—the best for a calendar month since July 2024. The wild-card race remained tight, with only 2.5 games separating fourth from eleventh in the National League standings. Arizona sat in a tie for the third spot, largely thanks to a pitching staff that ranked third in the majors with a 2.98 ERA. It marked the first time since August 2018 that the D-backs’ monthly team ERA dipped below three, even with Zac Gallen posting a 7.04 figure. This improved performance boosted fan confidence, particularly for the bottom of the poll.
In May, nearly half the votes (47%) rated the team at four or below. By June, that share had dropped significantly to 14%. Ratings for six and seven rose substantially, from 19% to 37% and from 9% to 23%, respectively. The overall poll score rose by almost a full point, from 4.78 to 5.71—the highest figure at this point since 2023 and reflecting a four-game better-than-last-year record for the D-backs, and a 5.5-game lead over the end of May 2024. The article includes a breakdown of the last 12 poll results and a line graph showing trends across this season and the previous ones.
Looking ahead to July, the tone shifts. The D-backs posted a -32 run differential in June, and their team ERA dropped to 25th in the majors at 4.90. Only Ildemaro Vargas managed an ERA below two. It was confirmed that Corbin Burnes would not return as soon as hoped, and the same for A.J. Puk. The team continued to perform well against weaker opponents (an MLB-best 30-13 against teams under .500) but faltered against teams at or above .500, going 13-30—worse than all but the Rockies. The impression is that the 2026 D-backs seem heavily defined by their opponents. The article invites readers to weigh in with their opinions in the forthcoming poll and comments, and even includes a link to an SEO-focused survey for engagement.