Just two weeks after the All-Star break, the 2026 Major League Baseball season has been unpredictable, especially in the National League West. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres have dominated much of the conversation, but the Arizona Diamondbacks have quietly positioned themselves as a legitimate threat to both teams.
Across Major League Baseball, even the best teams have struggled with inconsistency, proving that no team is unbeatable. With a 56-52 record, the Diamondbacks remain firmly in the NL West race and have a legitimate chance to challenge both the Dodgers and Padres. Los Angeles may have the biggest stars, and San Diego may be one of the most difficult teams to beat, but Arizona has shown it belongs in the conversation. The Diamondbacks and Dodgers have each swept the other in their season series, leaving the matchup tied and demonstrating how evenly matched the two teams can be. Los Angeles may still be the team to beat in the NL West, but Arizona has shown enough to prove that the division should not be handed to the Dodgers before the season is over.
The Padres also remain a serious contender, making the NL West one of the most competitive divisions in baseball. San Diego, Los Angeles and Arizona all have legitimate chances to make a postseason run, meaning the Dodgers should not be treated as if they have already secured the division. Arizona’s heart of Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo and Corbin Carroll gives the team three key players capable of helping the Diamondbacks compete with anyone in their division.
Marte provides Arizona with an experienced offensive leader who can consistently impact games at the plate. Perdomo gives the Diamondbacks an important presence in the infield and contributes both offensively and defensively. Carroll adds another dangerous element to the lineup with his speed and ability to create opportunities on the basepaths. Together, the three players give Arizona a balanced core capable of impacting games in different ways. The Diamondbacks may not have the same collection of superstar names as the Dodgers, but baseball is not won by reputation alone. Arizona has enough talent throughout its lineup to challenge any team of their peers.
The Diamondbacks may not receive the same national attention as the Dodgers, but their record, talent and ability to compete with the division’s best teams make them impossible to ignore. With three teams capable of making a deep postseason run, the NL West is far from decided. The Dodgers could eventually win the division, but until they do, baseball fans should stop handing it to them. The next chapter in the rivalry will come Aug. 7-9, when Arizona hosts Los Angeles for a three-game series.
Austin Bishop is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @austinrbishop23
