The Diamondbacks drop the series opener to the Phillies 8-2 in Arizona as the offense scuffles and Ryne Nelson endures a taxing five innings. Nelson’s stuff wasn’t sharp, but he battled through two earned runs on five hits with just one strikeout, keeping the game within reach early. Ketel Marte supplied a bright spot, going 3-for-4 with a first-inning solo homer and multi-hit frame, while the D-backs’ bullpen and offense couldn’t sustain momentum after a rough middle frame.

Arizona faces Philadelphia in Phoenix as Diamondbacks shake up their late-season plan. A MLB debut call-up, a 10-man bullpen, and a four-man rotation for the final nine games shape the arms map while Abner gets his first big-league outing. The D-backs lean on Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll to spark the lineup, with Adrian Del Castillo and Alek Thomas providing depth as the prospect narrative grows. Expect bullpen-heavy late outs and careful usage with an off day shaping weekend rest dynamics.

Lineup notes tilt toward power and speed from the Phillies with Bader in CF, Harper at 1B, and Schwarber as DH, backed by Realmuto and Stott. The D-backs counter with a mix of power and contact from Bohm and Del Castillo, plus Tawa and Wilson pieces in the middle. Stranger Things Night adds a local buzz, but the on-field focus remains on bullpen strategy, rotation timing, and the evolving late-season grind for both clubs.

San Francisco’s bats wake in the 11th, delivering a 5-1 win at Arizona after Brandon Pfaadt’s nine-inning gem. Justin Verlander spun seven scoreless for the Giants, but the bullpen couldn’t hold in extras until a huge 11th-frame rally. Bryce Eldridge drew a first major league walk, Patrick Bailey sparked the bases loaded hit, and Rafael Devers knocked in the go-ahead runs as San Francisco seized the moment and closed within striking distance in the wild-card race.

Fantasy takeaway: late-inning surges and bullpen decisions shaped the result, elevating the value of Giants role players (Bailey, Koss, McCray) while underscoring Pfaadt’s dominance despite the loss. With 10 games left, every inning matters as these teams jockey for postseason positioning.