Arizona Diamondbacks: The All-Time Bracket
No. 4 vs. 5 seed
The 2011 Diamondbacks won the NL West with a 94-68 record, finishing a comfortable eight games ahead of the San Francisco Giants. But they lost a tough five-game division series to Milwaukee, the deciding game going to 10 innings
Justin Upton led a talented young lineup, batting .289 with 31 homers and 88 RBIs. Gerardo Parra hit .292.
On the mound, Ian Kennedy enjoyed the best season of his career, winning 21 times against just four losses with a 2.88 ERA. Daniel Hudson added a 16-12 mark in 33 starts. J.J. Putz saved 45 games.
The 2017 D-backs were led by first baseman Goldschmidt’s .297 average, 36 homers, and 120 RBIs. At third base, Jake Lamb hit 30 homers and drove in 105 runs.
Zack Greinke led the staff with a 17-7 record and 3.20 ERA in 32 starts. Robbie Ray was 15-5, and Fernando Rodney saved 39 games.
Game 1: The 2011 D-Backs went 94-68 for a .580 percentage. In 2017 they were one game worse.
Game 2: The 2011 team may have lost its division series, but it did take the Brewers to five games. That’s a .400 post-season percentage. The 2017 club won its wild-card game, but then was eliminated by Los Angeles in four straight, for a .250 post-season record.
Game 3: The 2011 team produced a 99 OPS+. In 2017 the Diamondbacks only got to 94.
Game 4: With Greinke and Ray, the 2017 team certainly could pitch. Its 128 staff ERA+ is a franchise-best, even better than in 2001. The 2011 team only got to a 104 ERA+.
Game 5: The 1027 D-Backs had a 47.1 team WAR. That’s easily superior to the 2011 team’s modest 34.1 WAR.
Game 6: in 2017 the Diamondbacks fielded .982, a figure that was three points worse than the National League average. The 2011 team fielded .985, two points better than the NL average.
Result: 2011 in six games