The Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2025 campaign took another dramatic turn on August 12, as they faced off against the Texas Rangers in Arlington. The game, which began at 7:05 PM CDT and was broadcast across 105.3 The Fan and the Rangers Sports Network, delivered late-inning fireworks and, ultimately, a gut-wrenching loss for the D-backs. Yet, for many, the sting of the defeat was curiously muted. With the season’s hopes all but dashed and only about forty games left on the schedule, the focus has shifted from the scoreboard to the future of the franchise.
Arizona’s pitching staff, which has struggled at times throughout the season, coughed up a five-run lead in extra innings—a collapse that, earlier in the year, would have sent fans into a frenzy of frustration. But now? There’s a sense of acceptance, even optimism, as the Diamondbacks use these final games to evaluate talent and experiment with potential building blocks for 2026.
“I’ve no problem with losses the rest of the way, if they make the team a better one for future seasons,” one long-time observer noted in a post-game recap, capturing the prevailing mood among the fanbase. The sentiment is clear: winning now is less important than finding answers for tomorrow.
One of the most intriguing storylines emerging from this late-season stretch is the battle for third base. While Jordan Lawlar is widely regarded as the organization’s long-term solution at the hot corner, it’s been Blaze Alexander turning heads in August. Since the departure of Eugenio Suarez—whose post-trade performance in Seattle has been nothing short of disastrous, with an OPS+ of just 2—Alexander has seized his opportunity. In his last ten appearances, he’s hit safely in nine games, slashing an eye-popping .371/.476/.686 for an OPS of 1.162. That’s the kind of production that demands attention, even if the advanced stats suggest it’s unsustainable. His BABIP sits at a lofty .455, a number that’s bound to regress, but the question remains: has Alexander done enough to force his way into the team’s long-term plans?
Lawlar’s status adds another layer of intrigue. With roster expansions looming at the end of the month, will the Diamondbacks bring him up? Or will they stick with Alexander, giving the 24-year-old a longer audition? “To some extent, they know what they have with [Lawlar]: Alexander’s future is less certain,” the recap continued, hinting that the front office might opt to keep evaluating Alexander while Lawlar continues his development in the minors.
First base presents a similar puzzle. Pavin Smith, who’s been sidelined on a rehab assignment, is expected to return soon. That raises the question: will the D-backs revert to a platoon at first base, this time pairing Smith’s left-handed bat with Tyler Locklear’s right-handed swing? Or will Locklear, who has impressed in recent starts, continue to get the lion’s share of playing time as a test run for 2026 and beyond?
The designated hitter spot, too, is up for grabs. Smith has logged more DH appearances than any other Diamondback this year, but there’s no guarantee he’ll reclaim that role upon his return. The club could look outside the organization for a big bat, or give extended looks to internal options like Josh Naylor or Randal Grichuk. “The DH spot for 2026 is another which will need to be filled: that might be a destination of Smith as well,” the recap speculated, underscoring the uncertainty that surrounds the position.
All these questions are what make the remaining forty-odd games so compelling, even in a season where the playoffs are out of reach. Every at-bat, every inning pitched, is a data point for the front office as it maps out the future. For the players, it’s an extended tryout—a chance to prove they belong in the team’s plans when the games start to matter again.
On the mound in Arlington, the Diamondbacks sent right-hander Anthony DeSclafani to face the Rangers’ Jack Leiter, a matchup that generated plenty of buzz among fans and analysts alike. DeSclafani, a veteran presence, has provided stability in the rotation, while Leiter, the highly touted prospect, continues to build his major league résumé. The contrast between the two—one a steady hand, the other a rising star—mirrors the crossroads at which the Diamondbacks find themselves.
As the game unfolded, the Diamondbacks looked poised to snap their recent skid, building a comfortable lead heading into the late innings. But baseball, as always, had other ideas. The bullpen faltered, surrendering run after run, and by the time the dust settled in extra innings, Arizona had let a five-run cushion slip away. It was a loss that, in another context, might have been devastating. But with the postseason out of reach, the focus has shifted.
“Finding answers to these questions are what the remaining forty-odd games will be for,” the post-game analysis stated. And that’s exactly what the Diamondbacks are doing—auditioning young players, experimenting with lineups, and giving prospects a chance to shine. The coaching staff is watching closely, taking notes on who responds to adversity and who seizes the moment.
It’s not just about the numbers, though. The Diamondbacks are looking for leaders—players who can set the tone in the clubhouse and on the field. With veterans like Suarez gone and others potentially on the move in the offseason, there’s a leadership vacuum that needs to be filled. The next forty games will help determine who steps up, both statistically and emotionally.
This strategic pivot isn’t unique to Arizona. Across Major League Baseball, teams out of contention often use the final weeks to evaluate talent and plan for the future. But for the D-backs, the stakes feel especially high. After a season that began with promise but quickly unraveled, the organization is determined to lay the groundwork for a brighter 2026. That means tough decisions, calculated risks, and, yes, more losses along the way.
Fans, for their part, seem to understand the process. The frustration of a blown lead or a bullpen meltdown is tempered by the knowledge that each game brings the team closer to answering the big questions. Who will man the corners? Who will anchor the rotation? Who will emerge as the next face of the franchise?
As the Diamondbacks head into the final stretch, every game is a glimpse into the future. The losses may pile up, but for those watching closely, the real victories are still to come. With young talent like Blaze Alexander making a strong case for himself and key decisions looming at third base, first base, and designated hitter, the next six weeks promise to be anything but boring in the desert.
For now, the Arizona Diamondbacks are embracing the uncertainty, using each contest as a laboratory for 2026. There may not be a playoff chase, but there’s plenty to play for—and plenty of reasons for fans to keep watching. The journey to next season has already begun, and every pitch, swing, and substitution brings the future into sharper focus.
