Good morning — as the weather begins to cool and the shadows grow longer, football tends to be the sport most atop the average fan’s mind.

But we’re not done with baseball yet. And neither are the Diamondbacks, who still have a shot at an improbable postseason run. Remember what happened last time that was the case?

Let’s talk about it.

— Alex D’Agostino, PHNX WKLY Editor

Diamondbacks’ playoff hopes hinge on San Diego series

Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The Diamondbacks just swept the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field this week, for the first time since the 2018 season. Even considering Colorado’s issues over the past decade, it’s never exactly an easy series in Denver, for various reasons.

But it sure looked easy for Arizona, who, despite some bullpen struggles, outscored the Rockies 24-13 in three wins. They scored 13 of those runs in the first inning.

And so, at 85-74, the D-backs found themselves just two games out of the third and final Wild Card berth (after the Phillies also lost to the Brewers), with three massive games in San Diego looming.

The Snakes do not control their own destiny, but there does remain a world in which they could clinch a playoff berth — without sweeping the Padres in San Diego.

Arizona cannot catch the Padres or the Cubs. But they don’t have to catch either of those teams, necessarily.

If the 87-72 Phillies, who face a tough Tampa Bay Rays club to close out their regular season, were to be swept, the D-backs would need to win just two games to tie (and, owning the division-record tiebreaker) simultaneously overtake Philadelphia.

Of course, a series loss to the Padres would eliminate the Diamondbacks, regardless. Two more wins by Philly eliminate them, as well.

But one thing is certain. For the third season in a row, Arizona’s final three games are going to matter — a lot. October baseball is still very much in play. This is going to be a high-emotion weekend for your Snakes.

Now, let’s see what else is going on in Arizona sports this week:

After taking down Kansas 24-17 in London, the Sun Devils get a bye week. Their next matchup will be on October 3 against Baylor.
The Wildcats manhandled Northern Illinois 42-17, with QB Noah Fifita breaking the all-time Arizona passing yard record in the process. They’ll get a former PAC-12 matchup this weekend, taking on Washington State in Pullman on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
The Cardinals will look to rebound from their 31-7 loss to the Seahawks. They face Mike LaFleur’s former mentor in Kyle Shanahan and the red-hot 49ers in Santa Clara on Sunday.
Phoenix Rising fell 3-1 to El Paso Locomotive on Saturday. They’re 8-9-8 and remain 10th in the standings.
The Mercury closed out a frustrating 2026 season with a 100-82 loss to the Las Vegas Aces. Phoenix finishes its regular season 16-28.