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Today's newsletter is 1,018 words — a 4-minute read.

The Diamondbacks still have a shot at making the playoffs as they enter the final week of the season, but they'll need a lot of help to secure their first postseason berth since 2023.

Why it matters: A lot rides on Arizona's final six games — possibly including the fates of manager Torey Lovullo and general manager Mike Hazen.

State of play: Entering today, the Diamondbacks are 82-74 and four games back of the Philadelphia Phillies, who occupy the final wild-card spot in the National League.

• Any combination of three Diamondbacks losses and Phillies wins will knock Arizona out of the playoff picture.
• "There is no tomorrow," starting pitcher Merrill Kelly tells Axios. "We have to win every day."

Catch up quick: The Diamondbacks were sitting in playoff position as recently as Sept. 8, but then lost six of their next eight games.

• If not for back-to-back wins over the New York Yankees this weekend, they might already have been eliminated.

Context: Injuries have kept several stars off the field for much of the year, including ace Corbin Burnes and flame-throwing reliever Justin Martinez.

• Three players who were MVP candidates a year ago — Corbin Carroll, Geraldo Perdomo and Ketel Marte — are having comparatively pedestrian years at the plate this season.
• Marte also created a distraction last month when he failed to show up for a game without telling the team.

Between the lines: The baseball analytics site FanGraphs gives the Diamondbacks only a 5.8% of making the playoffs, raising the question of what happens if they don't.

• Late-season losing skids cost Arizona playoff spots each of the last two years and nearly cost them a postseason berth in 2023.
• Yet another collapse could spell doom for Lovullo, who has been with the club 10 years but is not under contract for next season.
• There's also some heat on Hazen, who has built just two playoff teams in his decade running the club.

What's next: The Diamondbacks finish on the road against the lowly Colorado Rockies and the streaking San Diego Padres, who have won 14 of their last 16.

Get on base

Last month, the Michelin guide recognized one of the Valley's most exclusive dining experiences: Scottsdale's omakase sushi spot ShinBay, which hosts just two seatings of up to 13 diners a night at $285 a pop.

• Chef Ken Takana — who took over for retired ShinBay founder Shinji Kurita in 2023 — emailed with Axios Phoenix about the honor.

What was your reaction when you heard that Michelin would be surveying the Southwest?

"I thought it would be an opportunity for Japanese cuisine in Arizona to receive recognition. I did not know whether ShinBay would be recognized, but I always work under pressure and stay focused on my work."

Did you ever get a sense that a Michelin inspector had visited the restaurant?

"I had absolutely no idea."

How has being recognized by Michelin affected you and ShinBay?

"I think reservations are increasing, but we will continue as we always have — facing the ingredients, focusing on each individual guest and working every day to improve."

• "Because of this Michelin recognition, I believe everyone — including myself, the chefs and the front-of-house team — will feel an even greater sense of responsibility and focus. We will simply continue moving forward toward the next stage."

Grab a seat

A state Senate Republican investigation into pay-to-play allegations against Gov. Katie Hobbs led by Sen. Jake Hoffman will now be run by a former Arizona Supreme Court justice.

Why it matters: Hoffman's companies have been paid about $1.5 million to help defeat Hobbs, which her campaign and other Democrats say creates a conflict of interest.

State of play: The Senate announced yesterday that the investigation is moving from the Senate Government Committee, which Hoffman (R-Queen Creek) chairs, to the Appropriations Committee.

• Former Arizona Supreme Court Justice Andrew Gould will lead the investigation as special counsel.

What they're saying: Hoffman blamed the "crooked political media" for focusing on the money his company 1Ten LLC received from Turning Point PAC to help defeat Hobbs and elect Republican nominee Andy Biggs, rather than on corruption allegations against the governor.

The other side: Hobbs campaign spokesperson Michael Beyer said "partisan extremists are now scrambling to keep this taxpayer-funded sham alive" in the wake of revelations about Hoffman's campaign work.

• Beyer said there was no wrongdoing by the governor.

🍽️ Chef Stephen Jones, owner of The Larder and The Delta, is the new culinary director for the Upward Projects restaurant group and is revamping the menu at Postino. (AZCentral)

🎓 More high school seniors in Arizona are filling out federal student aid forms, and the state hopes to get to 50% this year. (KJZZ)

🗳️ Campaign signs touting "Democrats for Biggs" were put up by the conservative organization Turning Point. (Lookout)

Blues guitarist Carvin Jones, a beloved member of Arizona's music scene, died of cancer at age 60, his family announced. (Phoenix New Times)

The country's first library robot helper lives at Mesa Gateway Library, and he is very cute!

Why it matters: Romi is part tour guide, part selfie station and easily the library's most futuristic helper.

How it works: Romi can greet visitors in eight languages and lead them to different parts of the library.

• His main job is way-finding, but developers are exploring additional features.
• You can touch the screen on his belly to look up books.

Meet Romi

🏕️ Jeremy needs a bigger tent for his family's next camping trip.

🎂 Zach wishes a very happy birthday to his mother, who has probably read everything he's ever published.

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This newsletter was edited by Astrid Galván.