Are the D’backs the team to beat in the NL?
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Does anyone realize that the Arizona Diamondbacks had the best record in the National League before last night? It sure doesn’t seem that the national media does. Despite losing their last two games, Arizona has been among the hottest teams in baseball since the All-Star break. Factoring in the fact that in their first 8 games after the break, the D’backs went 3-5, they’ve been the hottest team in baseball since July 20th, even when you include the two recent losses. From July 21st to Aug 20th, Arizona went 21-7, moving from fourth place in the NL West to first place with a three-and-a-half game lead. Since July 21st, the D’backs have won nine consecutive series, including road trips to Chicago, San Diego, Los Angeles, Florida, and Atlanta.
Arizona’s starting lineup consists of six players with three years or less in the Show, including three rookies, but veteran leadership from OF Eric Byrnes and 2B Orlando Hudson have kept this young team on an even keel all season, and they’re constantly getting better.
And what about the pitching? Reigning NL Cy Young winner Brandon Webb is in the midst of one of the most amazing streaks in the history of baseball – 42 consecutive scoreless innings, including three straight complete game shutouts. Since 1940, only four other pitchers have had longer streaks, and you’ll recognize the names of Sal Maglie, Bob Gibson, Don Drysdale, and Orel Hershiser. Webb’s two-hitter Friday night against the NL’s best hitting team, Atlanta, was nearly upstaged the next day when rookie starter Micah Owings pitched seven strong innings, giving up only 3 runs, while going 4 for 5 at the plate, including two homeruns, four runs scored, and six RBI, becoming the first pitcher in history to accomplish that feat.
The biggest knock on the D’backs is their offense, which has actually produced fewer runs this season than they’ve given up, despite being 16 games above .500. But that can be attributed to the fact that when they lose, they often lose big, but when the game is close, they generally rise to the challenge. Arizona is 27-16 in one-run games, and their closer, Jose “Papa Grande” Valverde, leads the majors with 37 saves. After a blowout loss on Aug. 13 at Florida, they proceeded to win four straight on the road to win another two series. With the Brewers and Cubs in the desert this week, it remains to be seen if the Snakes can maintain their hot streak, but maybe they don’t have to.
In order to reach 90 wins, Arizona only has to go 19-17 (.528) in their remaining games, while San Diego, their closest competitor in the NL West and the current leader for the NL Wild Card, would have to go 24-15 (.615) just to tie. Colorado and Los Angeles would have to play even better than that to have a chance. Therefore, unless the D’backs have a major late-season swoon, they’re likely to get into the playoffs and the resilience they’ve shown this season, especially since the break, is sure to serve them well wherever they play in October.
Devon Miller
Special Correspondent for SportProjections.com
