Oh what a difference one year has made for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Whether it’s on the mound, in the field, or at the plate, the Dbacks have improved immensely over the course of the year. In 2016, the Diamondbacks totaled only 69 wins, and a paltry nine series wins. This season, Arizona already owns 53 wins before the All-Star break, and the Diamondbacks will look to keep adding to that total when the second half kicks off.
Arizona Diamondbacks Surge from Bust to Contender
The Difference at Home
Over the course of the entire 2016 season, the Diamondbacks only racked up 33 home wins. Halfway through the 2017 campaign, now sitting at 53-35, the Diamondbacks have matched their 2016 total for wins at home. The teams 53 wins in 2017 before the All-Star break is the best such mark in franchise history. Also before the break, the Diamondbacks are 33-14 at home, giving them the second-best home record, behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers. The nine home series wins in 2016 for the Diamondbacks already doesn’t match up to the 11 home series wins this season.
Different Players
In 2016, the Diamondbacks only sent one player to the All-Star Game: Paul Goldschmidt. Although Jake Lamb was in the Final Vote, he did not accompany Goldy to San Diego. This season, the Diamondbacks will be sending four players to Miami, though many more are deserving. Representing the Diamondbacks will be Robbie Ray, Lamb, Goldschmidt, and Zack Greinke.
This will be the third time in Dbacks history that four or more players will be going to the All-Star Game, and though that is an achievement worth celebrating, it should have been five. Despite posting a 1.10 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 41.0 innings pitched, Archie Bradley was not named to the National League’s Midsummer Classic roster. This came as a surprise many because his numbers are some of the best in baseball among relievers. What should come as no surprise, on the other hand, is that first-year manager Torey Lovullo believes in his players; he has publicly spoken about how many of them deserved the trip to Miami.
After the Break
After the All-Star break in the 2016 season, the Dbacks fell apart. It is crucial for this year’s team to keep a steady win pace and not fall off the tracks. If they win the majority of the final games, the Diamondbacks have a good shot at finishing first in the race for the National League West crown.
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