However, it won't be easy, and as Tom Verducci of the MLB Network and Sports Illustrated points out, it will be tough to hold off San Francisco for the NL West crown.

"It seems to be a great race out west every single year," Verducci told Arizona Sports 620's Burns and Gambo. "I like the Giants because of the edge in starting pitching and assuming now that their offense is going to be decent with Melky Cabrera and Buster Posey for a full season."

Indeed, the Giants, who won the World Series in 2010, would seem to be Arizona's biggest threat out west.

"When I look at the Diamondbacks, I love the team," Verducci said, "but I feel pretty bad holding this against them, but so many things went right for them last year it's difficult for all those things to happen again."

Verducci pointed to the team's record in one-run games (28-16) as well as the health of the starting rotation (Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson and Joe Saunders all made 33 starts) as things that propelled Arizona last season, but may not be there this time around.

He may be right, but the D-backs made some solid moves in the offseason that should help them out in 2012, especially the somewhat-surprising addition of Jason Kubel.

"You really have to love the Diamondbacks' bench," Verducci said. "There's a lot of experience there, great character guys, clubhouse guys."

It's a similar formula to the one Arizona used last season. And, with any luck, they'll have similar results.