The Toronto Blue Jays have been on a tear, winning 12 of their last 14 and earning a playoff spot, while the Arizona Diamondbacks are hot in the National League with a 9-4 record this June. Their matchup brings to mind last year's pivotal trade, sending Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and top prospect Gabriel Moreno to the D-backs in exchange for Daulton Varsho. Initially viewed as a lopsided deal, especially after Arizona reached the World Series, the narrative is shifting as Varsho's defensive prowess begins to showcase his value.

Manager John Schneider acknowledges that while Varsho's offensive stats have been underwhelming, his gold-glove defense and leadership are invaluable. In contrast, Gurriel and Moreno have thrived in Arizona, significantly contributing to their postseason success. This evolving perspective on the trade illustrates how both teams may ultimately benefit from their decisions, as the Blue Jays adapt to a new model of play focusing on defense over slugging.

The Philadelphia Phillies are eyeing a potential trade for Lourdes Gurriel Jr. of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Gurriel, a solid left fielder with a career .277 batting average and a 112 OPS+, has been a consistent performer since entering the league. Despite not being a superstar, his role as a reliable hitter makes him an attractive option for the Phillies, who are looking to strengthen their lineup.

Gurriel was an All-Star in 2023 and had a notable postseason, driving in 11 runs as the Diamondbacks advanced to the World Series. Following that success, he signed a three-year contract worth $42 million with the Diamondbacks, which includes a player opt-out after 2025. If the Phillies can navigate financial concerns, Gurriel could be a valuable addition, potentially offering an upgrade over players like Max Kepler. His steady performance could help the Phillies make a deep playoff push in the coming seasons.

The Arizona Diamondbacks staged a thrilling comeback in the ninth inning, scoring seven runs to shock the Atlanta Braves 11-10, completing a three-game sweep. Eugenio Suárez delivered a critical two-run double off Raisel Iglesias, who suffered his fourth blown save of the season. The rally was sparked by homers from Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Alek Thomas, cutting the deficit to 10-7. Ketel Marte also contributed with a homer earlier, while Shelby Miller earned his sixth save for Arizona, which has now won four consecutive games. The Braves, despite homering three times, faced their fourth straight loss.

Eduardo Rodriguez is making strides in his recovery from the 15-day disabled list, showcasing notable velocity in his recent Arizona Complex League outing. After throwing 73 pitches over 4⅔ innings, Rodriguez appears closer to returning to the Arizona Diamondbacks' rotation. Manager Torey Lovullo has indicated that if Rodriguez isn't activated soon, Ryne Nelson will likely take his next turn in the rotation.

Meanwhile, Lourdes Gurriel demonstrated impressive form during the homestand, entering his day off with a .467 average through the series. Despite slight concerns about fatigue after limping in a prior game, medical staff assured Lovullo that Gurriel was in good shape. As the Diamondbacks gear up for a matchup with the Washington Nationals and subsequent games against the Atlanta Braves, maintaining player health and performance remains critical.

The Los Angeles Dodgers mounted a stunning comeback against the Arizona Diamondbacks, capped by a monumental three-run homer from Shohei Ohtani in the ninth inning, leading to a 6-3 victory. Despite a strong performance from Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte, who hit two home runs, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who contributed a grand slam, the game turned on the struggles of Arizona's bullpen. Manager Torey Lovullo faced mounting criticism following the game, reminiscent of last season's late collapse that cost the team a playoff spot. Reliever Kevin Ginkel allowed five runs, raising his ERA to a staggering 15.43.

The Diamondbacks now find themselves at 20-19, while the Dodgers improve to 30-16 since 2022, continuing their dominance in the matchup. With the D'backs' potent lineup unable to secure a win, questions about the efficacy of managerial decisions loom large as they strive to maintain competitiveness in the division.