SAN DIEGO -- How does D-backs general manager Mike Hazen feel about his team's position in the race for a postseason spot?
"Well, it changes by the day," Hazen said.
Heading into Thursday night's game with the Padres, the D-backs held a 1 1/2-game lead over the Rockies and Dodgers, who were tied for second in the National League West.
"It's in front of us and I think that's the best way to talk about it, look at it," Hazen said. "You'd sign up for this right here -- to have it within your grasp. We have a lot of head-to-head games against all the teams we're in and around, which is good. We're in a pennant chase. I've been in August before where we're not, so this is a good feeling."
The D-backs have seven games left each against the Dodgers and Rockies and they have a three-game series coming up against the Giants in San Francisco.
Last season, a 13-game winning streak at the end of August and beginning of September, which included six wins over the Dodgers and three over the Rockies, all but locked up the NL Wild Card for Arizona.
Another prolonged winning streak right about now could have a similar effect, but this year's D-backs team has yet to win more than five games in a row.
"I don't think outside of April we've played our best baseball as a team," Hazen said. "There are still ways for us to bring it all together a little more consistently, but we've put ourselves in a good position. You want to see us take hold of that situation, but it's baseball and you've got to go through the entire season and you're going to have your ups and downs and you're going to have periods where you kind of tread water a little bit. So, there's still a ton of season left to play, but the team that puts that together consistently for nine innings for a decent stretch of time is going to come out on top."
Lamb update
D-backs third baseman Jake Lamb had fraying in his left rotator cuff repaired Wednesday and came through the procedure well.
"I got a chance to speak to him today, and he said he feels really good," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "He was glad that the ordeal is over. I just know the summary of it is it went as expected and it went very, very well. To ramp up now and get on the rehab program is on him, and the hardest days are probably ahead of him. But I know that he's ready for that challenge and he'll be ready for Spring Training."