D-Backs in Wild Card contention after All-Star break

• Though they haven't looked like contenders this season, we know that all it takes is a Wild Card spot and a hot streak to make some postseason magic happen.

State of play: The snakes are in sixth place in the Wild Card standings, 2.5 games back of the third and final playoff spot in the National League.

• They won four straight before the All-Star break, including a three-game sweep of the mighty Dodgers in Los Angeles.
• That gave them a winning record — 49-47 — to end the first half.

Zoom in: Arizona's relative success comes despite a starting pitching rotation that's been among the worst in the Majors, per ESPN.

• Former ace Zac Gallen, who's out with elbow inflammation, has the worst ERA in Major League Baseball.
• Brandon Pfaadt struggled as both a starter and reliever, but has had three strong starts since coming back from Triple-A.
• Michael Soroka and All-Star Eduardo Rodriguez have been bright spots in Arizona's starting rotation.

Yes, but: Arizona's relief pitching, a weak spot for years, is doing unexpectedly well.

• The D-Backs' bullpen hasn't been great but ranks 14th in the Majors, per Sports Illustrated.
• If the 2024 team, which narrowly missed a return to the playoffs, had a 14th-ranked bullpen, the snakes might've won 100 games and the World Series, SI's Alex D'Agostino writes.

The D-Backs' offense, which has been their greatest strength over the past few years, has been a cause for concern. They're sporting one of the worst team batting averages and second-lowest home run total in the Majors.

• Geraldo Perdomo isn't replicating the big numbers that got him some MVP votes last season.
• Corbin Carroll has been in a slump lately but still leads the Majors in triples, and was the D-Backs only batter in the All-Star game.
• Ildemaro Vargas, who had the league's highest batting average at the end of April, has come back to Earth.

What they're saying: "We're in the middle of it and we have not played close to our caliber of baseball or to our level or our standard," manager Torey Lovullo told the Arizona Republic.

• "I think the best is yet to come, and if it does, then we're going to make some noise."

What's next: The D-Backs start the second half today with a three-game homestand against the St. Louis Cardinals.