Arizona Diamondbacks primed to win a wealth of hardware this season
2017 has been a wild success for the Arizona Diamondbacks regardless of what kind of hardware they earn. But why not have the league MVP, the Cy Young and the World Series?
It doesn’t make sense. The Arizona Diamondbacks have to win 13 consecutive games and have one of their top sluggers knock four homers in a single game just to get national recognition. Perhaps they’re just overshadowed by their division rival Los Angeles Dodgers, but it’s past time the D’Backs get some respect.
At 83-62, Arizona has rebounded nicely after a disappointing 2016 campaign. They’re doing it with pitching, defense and a lineup that would be stars in any major market.
Arizona is not the major market that New York is, and the Diamondbacks do not have the polarizing figures that a club like the Washington Nationals so frequently advertise. What the Arizona Diamondbacks do have is a complete team that could stealthily make it to the World Series. But before we turn the focus to the unit, let’s tip our hats to some individuals within the D’Backs roster.
You could rant all day about MVP candidate Paul Goldschmidt being overlooked year after year. Despite posting MVP numbers on a seasonal basis, the Arizona first baseman has yet to earn the league’s most coveted award. But this could be his year. Goldschmidt’s statistics are truly sensational. Please take a look at the layout of his stats per mlb.com, you’ll be impressed.
In statistical summary, Goldschmidt ranks in the top five in OBP, slugging, OPS, home runs, walks, and RBI. He has slacked somewhat in the batting average category, ranking only in the top ten. Maybe his most eyebrow-raising success has been on the base paths, as he has converted 17 of 22 stolen base opportunities (77%) this season.
Other than Mike Trout, there is not another player that posts prettier numbers across the board than Goldschmidt. Trout of course plays in the American League, therefore, he will be no disruption to Paul Goldschmidt’s MVP chances.
Feel free to browse the other NL MVP candidates. Paul Goldschmidt is my pick. He is at it again in 2017. The biggest difference from previous seasons–he now plays for a winning team.
Another Diamondback that lives in the shadows of some of the bigger names around the league is starting pitcher Robbie Ray. Ray has emerged not only as the Diamondbacks’ ace, but perhaps the National League’s ace.
The 25-year-old has gone from zero to one-hundred in the blink of an eye. He struggled start after start to find his command last season, but it has all come together in 2017. Remember, Robbie Ray was a key piece in the trade which sent Didi Gregorious to the New York Yankees in the 2014 offseason. Gregorious has been a success story in New York, however, there is not much more valuable than a Cy Young caliber arm in your starting rotation. Ray has been just that for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Robbie Ray’s 2.81 ERA ranks 5th in the National League. He’s 13-5 in 24 starts this season, and he’s proven to be the second toughest pitcher to hit, holding opposing hitters to a .196 batting average. Ray will surpass the 200 strikeout mark in his next start. He ranks second in MLB in K/9 at 12.25. Needless to say , he has been incredible.
Unfortunately, Ray ranks behind Nationals’ ace Max Scherzer in most of those categories. Scherzer is the Cy Young front-runner and he has been ever since Clayton Kershaw hit the sidelines. Barring any strange happenings in the closing month, Scherzer will most likely take home the award. But that does not take away from what Robbie Ray has accomplished in 2017. Ray should undoubtedly finish in the top three in Cy Young voting. He would be a shoo-in for most improved pitcher if only there was such an award.
The top-heavy National League should put on a show this postseason. The Dodgers have dominated the regular season, though, that means very little once the calendar turns to October (or September for the Dodgers). Washington presents a deep and dangerous postseason squad. And the Chicago Cubs have the benefit of being the most recent team to reach the mountaintop.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are inevitably going to end up in the Wild Card game. Milwaukee, Colorado and St. Louis are each fighting to face the Diamondbacks in the one-game playoff. Not to mention the Chicago Cubs still have some cleaning up to do in the NL Central.
Fast forward to the Wild Card game, the Diamondbacks could throw either Zack Greinke or Robbie Ray at their opponent to be named later. Their chances look bright either way. A lot depends on who mounts the mound from the other side, however, it is safe to say the D’Backs will be the most talented team regardless of who they face.
Assuming they win the Wild Card game, they will face the all too familiar Los Angeles Dodgers, if Washington doesn’t surpass them for the best record in the NL. Sounds intimidating, but Arizona is 11-8 against the Dodgers this season. The Diamondbacks drew last blood after sweeping the Dodgers in a three-game series earlier this month in L.A. Los Angeles will have a number of advantages, including home field, rest, and a set rotation. However, the Diamondbacks match up nose to nose with them. Assuming the series happens, it will certainly be an entertaining one. Don’t be surprised if Arizona pulls the upset.
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Predicting the NLDS is futuristic enough. The postseason can swing in various directions and it is simply too far away to dabble in. The point is that the Arizona Diamondbacks are a World Series caliber team. They are not lucky and they are not a walkover. Arizona is for real. They have all of the ingredients that make up a World Series champion–a deep starting rotation, a shutdown bullpen, and powerhouse offense. They will have a tougher route to take, but a World Championship is certainly possible for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017.