What D-backs' Thrilling Sweep vs Tigers Told Us

In their three-game sweep against the Detroit Tigers, the Arizona Diamondbacks did what they have done best in recent years: answer back.

After an ugly 0-3 start coming off a brutal sweep by the Los Angeles Dodgers to open the year, Arizona settled down and got back to its identity — and it paid off in the form of three wins against the Tigers.

Here's what that needed three-game boost tells us about the D-backs, and what questions still need to be answered.

What Diamondbacks' sweep of Tigers told us

Arizona may already have its next star

Mar 31, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Jose Fernandez (11) is doused in Gatorade after defeating the Detroit Tigers in the eighth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Rookie infielder and No. 27 prospect Jose Fernandez made as good of a first impression as could have been imagined.

On Tuesday night, Fernandez went 3-for-4 and crushed two home runs — becoming the first player to do so in his Diamondbacks debut. His second homer came off All-Star closer Kenley Jansen, which flipped the score to 7-5 and capped off a five-run comeback victory.

Fernandez did not get back in the hit column Wednesday, but made a pair of excellent defensive plays at first base; he has only played 17 games at first base in his professional career, and did not receive any time there in the Cactus League.

Zac Gallen still has ace-like performances in him

Apr 1, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

It was discouraging to see Zac Gallen suffer through a blowup inning against the Dodgers, but he had been pitching well until that moment in LA.

But in Wednesday's finale against Detroit, Gallen showed what can happen if he is able to avoid that big inning, outdueling Cy Young winner and Tigers ace Tarik Skubal with six scoreless innings.

Gallen pounded the zone, looked confident and pitched to contact well despite only managing two strikeouts and six whiffs. With some quality defense behind him, Arizona's former ace was able to look like one again.

Corbin Carroll's injury has zero effect on his game

Arizona Diamondbacks Corbin Carroll (7) celebrates a 3-run home run against the Detroit Tigers at Chase Field on March 30, 2026. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Corbin Carroll may have broken his hamate bone a mere seven weeks ago, but you would never be able to tell.

An injury that has a history of dampening a hitter's power has not, in any way, done the same to Carroll, who homered twice, doubled and ripped his first triple of the year in this series.

Carroll became the sixth left-handed batter to ever homer off Skubal, sending a high fastball 410 feet the other way for Arizona's only run of their final victory. He went 5-for-10 in the series with seven RBI, crushing the ball over 100 MPH repeatedly.

Questions remaining after D-backs' sweep of Tigers

What can we expect from the bullpen?

Mar 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Hoffmann (56) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Diamondbacks' bullpen is not their strength. It is firmly the weakness of this club. But the polarity of results in this series offers as much hope as it does concern.

In game one, the D-backs held an 8-0 lead in the seventh inning, and it became a save situation after a six-run blowup by their relief corps.

But in games two and three, Arizona's relievers were nearly perfect, throwing six scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and one walk. The D-backs converted all three save opportunities.

So which version is going to be the more dominant? History would suggest much of the uglier results. But even a little bit of positive regression in the back end could have a massive impact on the D-backs' win-loss record come season's end.

Is Paul Sewald back?

Mar 30, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) and pitcher Paul Sewald (38) celebrates after defeating the Detroit Tigers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Of course, a big part of Arizona's bullpen effort in this series was right-hander Paul Sewald, who is returning to the closer role in his second stint with the D-backs.

It was a controversial decision, but it's paying off early on. Sewald locked down back-to-back saves without allowing a baserunner, and struck out the side in his most recent outing.

Sewald's fastball velocity is back to the 92-93 MPH range, and he's getting whiffs on it at the top of the zone again. He's landing his sweeper in more favorable locations, as well.

One can't say for sure if this is the second coming of 2023, when Sewald helped lead Arizona to a pennant, but a confident, sharp Sewald could be a huge boost to the struggling bullpen.

Is Brandon Pfaadt going to take a step forward or not?

Mar 31, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) throws against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Righty Brandon Pfaadt is entering a pivotal season, but his first start showed much of the same issues. He looked dominant early in game two, then gave up a brutal five-run inning, losing the feel for his arsenal and struggling with command.

On the positive side, Pfaadt was able to settle in and still deliver six innings — allowing for the comeback to begin. That much is something he has not been able to do in the past.

But the D-backs need Pfaadt to eliminate the big inning — or, at least, soften it to a smaller impact. Pfaadt will be a pitcher to watch as the season continues, as he looks to be more consistent.