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AP: 7a62367a-4ec1-4e45-99a5-29c47e36a705
Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Ryan Roberts charges a slow roller hit by San Diego Padres' Chase Headley in the fifth inning of a baseball game on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, in San Diego. Roberts got the out on a close play at first. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
I hate reality checks. Sometimes, when my checking account balance is lower than I would like it to be, I refuse to look at it, because I simply don't want to see its hideously-low integers.

Such neglect on my part is, admittedly, foolish. But I do the same thing when it comes to my fandom. Don't tell me how many knee surgeries Chipper Jones has had. What Michael Bourn slump? Speed never slumps. I don't care how old Livan Hernandez is. Don't you dare show me his birth certificate.

(Yes -- I'm a Braves fan. Yes -- I write about the Diamondbacks. Sue me.)

Such has been a lifelong pattern. My optimism gives way to unrealistic expectations, which ultimately cause disappointment.

Maybe you have a similar plight. If so, I have good news and I have bad news. The good news: the following is intended to help you kick that horribly unhealthy habit called positivity. The bad news: you may not like what you see.

There's your fair warning. Onward...

The D-backs have won both of their first two division series. They're 5-1 and look like last year's D-backs. But please be careful with yourself.

• The two teams they have played -- the Giants and the Padres -- had the two worst offenses in the National League last season.

• In six games, the D-backs have a +6 run differential. They've won three games by one run and two by two runs. Call it grit. That's fine. Just fear that it may be a lack of dominance.

• Their best pitching outing -- a no-run, four-hit, seven-inning effort that was spoiled -- came from their fifth starter, Joe Saunders.

• Cory Luebke, who gave up six runs to the Dodgers in his first start of the season, held the D-backs to one run on four hits on Wednesday afternoon.

• Justin Upton has two hits on the season. Ryan Roberts and Paul Goldschmidt both have three.

• The middle of the D-backs rotation -- Daniel Hudson, Josh Collmenter and Trevor Cahill -- hasn't looked good. And that's who we'll see this weekend at hitter- friendly Coors Field, as the D-backs face the Rockies

• David Hernandez already has 1/3 of his loss total from last season, and he's given up 1/4 of the home runs he allowed last season.

On the bright side, the D-backs' bats are sure to break out in Denver, at least in part.

Chris Young and Willie Bloomquist have been sensational. Young is batting .364 with an elephantine 1.349 on-base- plus-slugging percentage and three [big] home runs. Bloomquist also has a .364 batting average, while scoring a team-best five runs (one for every game he's played in), with two stolen bases.

Ian Kennedy was dominant Thursday night and Jason Kubel got his key RBI.

Everyone in the bullpen has not only seen the mound, but looked solid. Closer JJ Putz already has four saves and five strikeouts.

I don't intend to alarm. And I'm not trying to be negative. I just know that panorama is valuable and, the fact of the matter is, Livan Hernandez is 37 years old, Michael Bourn is 3-for-24 with one stolen base, and Chipper Jones just had his sixth knee surgery. And let's not talk about my checking account... I haven't looked at it in a while.

20 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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  • Abuse
    ShawnVerdun wrote...
    D'Backs
    I agree with every pessimistic point you have made. I would also point out that despite all the negativity, they are 5-1. Imagine their record once J-Up starts to hit, etc. Oh, and your Braves are in for a looong season.
  • Abuse
    diehardcard wrote...
    The best way to lose Phoenix fans
    Is to talk about your loyalty to the team and city you came from. GO HOME HATER.
  • Abuse
    wsphxcardsfan wrote...
    Who cares???
    It's the FIRST WEEK of the season, for crying out loud. Way too small of a sample size for you to already start crying wolf there, buddy.
  • Abuse
    cornell78 wrote...
    Way Too Premature
    The last series was played at Petco Park, which is the most pitcher-friendly park in all of MLB with a PF of -81. It is the absolute worst place for an offense like Arizona's, which relies heavily on the long ball. Last year the Snakes were a mediocre hitting club for average, but were near the top of the NL for dingers. Expect similar results this season. Just sit back and watch what happens at Coors Field this weekend. It's the exact opposite of Petco, having the highest park factor in baseball of +132. Think you'll see this power-laden AZ offense spring to life, weather permitting.
  • Abuse
    scubetrolis wrote...
    dumb
    pretty terrible article. ill take 5-1 every time over everything you are saying. i agree that Upton is struggling. Goldy, not so much, this is what he is. He is a power hitter who is going to strike out a lot, but I love him in the lineup.
  • Abuse
    the real fan wrote...
    "special" contributor
    Weak sauce, No respecting writer would be calling the season with one week in, Or were you just hard up for someone to read your work?
  • Abuse
    cornell78 wrote...
    Braves
    The author of the article said... "Slow starts are their [Atlanta's] trademark." After last year, I'd say slow finishes are too!
  • Abuse
    Calvinator wrote...
    Winning!
    This is all that matters, so to write and talk about anything other than winning in sports is pointless to include stats other than the win-loss record, the margin of previous victories and losses, and what happened in previous seasons. The Diamondbacks are winning and that's all that matters. I can't wait to see the Diamondbacks crush the Braves. P.S. Go back to Atlanta and write for the Braves, although blogging for the Braves would be completely boring since the only topic to write about is their losing record.
  • Abuse
    azdb wrote...
    Good Articel
    As a baseball fan, I enjoyed reading this article. It's nice that someone is willing to put some perspective on things and not just consider their team perfect in every aspect. And on a personal note, it is encouraging to me that the DBacks are 5-1 after looking at these stats. Imagine how it will look when Upton comes around and their starting pitching gets going.
  • Abuse
    Josh T wrote...
    He's not blowing smoke.
    Sports writers aren't supposed to write like cheerleaders. If you are a real sports fan, you want to know all the facts about your team. I want to know what the backs can improve on so I can track with them over the course of this season and know whats going on. If I want someone to tell me that we have the best team in the MLB, I'll visit my nephew in kindergarten. If you hate this type of article, you are the fan that holds up a #1 finger for cameras at AZ St games even though we are always pumped if we break into the top 25. NO! don't tell me what I don't want to hear.
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