D-Backs Gallen’s resurgence after trade deadline uncertainty

Before the trade deadline, Gallen was struggling. A once Cy Young Award candidate two years ago found himself unable to finish outings and couldn’t give the team quality starts. The right-handed pitcher had a 7-12 record with a 5.60 ERA before August. Fans began to question if Gallen could return to his old self once the D-Backs decided to keep him after the trade deadline.

August has been more promising.

The Diamondbacks’ ace has pitched five or more innings and delivered quality starts in every outing he’s had in August. He’s gone 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA, allowing only 10 earned runs. Gallen has struck out 28 batters, with teams hitting .220 off him.

The upward trend continued on Aug. 29, when Gallen pitched a gem against the reigning World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers. He outdueled Cy Young Award Winner Blake Snell, pitching 6.0 scoreless innings and had eight strikeouts in the win.

Gallen’s early struggles led to Arizona’s shift into being sellers at the deadline, something he has acknowledged and taken accountability for.

“We’ve got to be able to stand there and take accountability that we just didn’t give them a shot to go to add to this team,” he said on Aug. 6, according to Sports Illustrated’s Alex D’Agostino. “But, deadline over, distractions over. It’s just time to just play baseball and play the standard of baseball that we expect from ourselves here.”

However, Gallen’s strong late-season performances could change the D-Backs’ future this season. Despite being sellers, the Snakes aren’t out of the playoff picture just yet. The team has been one of the best this month, chipping away at their losing record and are 6.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot.

Gallen’s resurgence, after once being considered a trade deadline piece, may help keep Arizona’s postseason hopes alive and bolster his future in the major leagues.