Arizona Diamondbacks could be major sleeper in 2017 playoffs

The Diamondbacks sit 14 games out of first place in the NL West, but barring a major comeback by the Brewers or Cardinals, they should receive a Wild Card spot. Despite not winning its division, Arizona could be a surprising team come October.

It’s hard to write off any team in October because anything can happen. But since the Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs all boast stacked rosters, it will be difficult to consider other teams as actual contenders in the National League.

The Arizona Diamondbacks could be the ultimate sleeper. Their series against Chicago acts as a perfect example for why and how.

Ace Zack Greinke, who sported a 2.84 ERA prior to Thursday’s game, got shelled for six runs in six innings. Arizona’s offense still carried the team, crushing three home runs off Jose Quintana, who’s been great in a Cubs uniform. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt had three bombs of his own in the game.

In Wednesday’s matchup, Zack Godley flummoxed Chicago’s usually intimidating offense. He tossed six scoreless innings with five strikeouts to bring his ERA down to 2.86. Prior to the season, the right-hander owned a career 5.34 ERA – he started this season in Triple-A as a result of that.

The two victories represent how almost everything has essentially gone right for the D-Backs this year. Especially after they finished last season with a 69-93 record.

Arizona’s offense has been a typical Arizona offense – a deep lineup with lots of power. The club is averaging more than five runs per game, the most since 2002, when it finished the year with 819 runs scored. At this rate, the team could surpass that.

More importantly, after possessing the worst pitching statistics of any MLB team last year, the D-Backs rank second in ERA behind the Dodgers (of course). Starters, headlined by Grienke and Robbie Ray, have been phenomenal. Godley is enjoying a breakout year, while Taijuan Walker and Patrick Corbin have both shown signs of brilliance and potential.

If Ray returns – a big if – and continues to pitch well, Arizona wouldn’t look completely overmatched against other contenders’ rotations.

Arizona: Greinke, Ray, Godley, Walker (or Corbin)

Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw, Yu Darvish, Alex Wood, Rich Hill

Nationals: Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Tanner Roark

Cubs: Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Jose Quintana, Kyle Hendricks (or John Lackey)

Sure, the Dodgers’ pitching staff looks scary with the addition of Darvish, but Kershaw has had the yips in October, while the rest of the staff has little experience in the playoffs. If anything, the Diamondbacks can run a three-man rotation and be in good shape.

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Manager Torey Lovullo and his front office made just one notable acquisition at the trade deadline, but it was a big one. The addition of outfielder J.D. Martinez to an already dominant offense gives Arizona one of the scariest 3-4-5 hitting combos in the game. That being Goldschmidt (aka the most underrated player in the game), Martinez and third baseman Jake Lamb.

Everyone in the order is a threat at the dish, as everyone with more than 230 at-bats boasts a slugging percentage of .440 or better. The D-Backs rank third in the entire league in doubles, second in triples and shockingly, just 14th in home runs.

Most surprisingly, the bullpen has been anything but shoddy so far. And if you haven’t noticed, a strong bullpen can take a team deep in a postseason run – look at the 2015 Royals and 2016 Indians, for example.

Archie Bradley has been one of the most reliable relievers in the game this year, posting a 1.45 ERA with a sub-1.00 WHIP. As a whole, the bullpen ranks sixth in MLB in ERA, despite having a somewhat inconsistent closer in Fernando Rodney. Come October, Bradley could get the call in the ninth.

Next: Dodgers could crack top 10 in single-season wins

Few teams can say they possess a formidable offense and strong pitching staff to compete against any division-winning club, especially the Dodgers. The D-Backs might be criticized come October for the way they’ve played against contenders – Arizona is 4-6 against Los Angeles and 2-4 against Washington.

But don’t count them out just yet. They have all the tools to acquire their second World Series in franchise history.