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Reasons why the Arizona Diamondbacks can have October success

By Tyler Bassett/Arizona Sports
Published: September 29, 2011 @ 3:11pm

If we've learned anything about the 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks it's that, 1. they can definitely surprise you, 2. don't ever count them out and 3. Kirk Gibson is constantly looking forward with his eyes on the prize.

As we head into the playoffs there are certain things that make this Diamondbacks team stand out. Certain things (people) they need to step up if they are going to be playing past next Tuesday.

In the first round they have drawn the Milwaukee Brewers, the best home team in baseball this season. The Brewers won 57 times this season in Miller Park (39 on the road).

The Diamondbacks need to win once there in the next week.

They took two of three from Milwaukee in Milwaukee earlier this season. They won't be scared.

<B>Gibby Ball</b><br><br> Manager Kirk Gibson doesn't have managerial experience in October but that doesn't mean he hasn't been around October baseball. With Gibby being Gibby and the Diamondbacks continuing to play Gibby-ball, they should be able put pressure on the Brewers throughout the NLDS. I'm expecting aggressive baseball to be played by the Snakes.

<B>Leader of the staff</b><br><br> The ace.
The horse of the staff. I'm confident Ian
Kennedy can put this team up 1-0 against the
Brewers and allow them to grab that much-needed road win. This will set the tone for
the series. Also, a Game 1 win would be huge
for not only the team, but Daniel Hudson's
psyche. We don't want Hudson pitching and
thinking Game 2 is a must-win game.

<B>Star Player</b><br><br> In the past week
Justin Upton has seen stars a few times. In
the next week Justin Upton needs to be THE
star. In October you need a superstar bat in
the lineup. Upton is that guy and he'll rise
to the occasion. He's been very good in the
middle of the order and there is no reason to
think it'll stop now. 2007 experience is
going to help this youngster.

<B>Comeback Diamondbacks</b><br><br> Don't ever
count these Diamondbacks out. 48 of their 94
wins were come-from-behind victories.
Incredible. Of those 48, eight were walk-offs.
This team will force you to get them out 27
times. There is no relaxing or else you'll pay
for it. Getting into the other team's bullpen
will be key.

<B>Bull(close)</b><br><br> The Diamondbacks
bullpen gets outs. They have all season. David
Hernandez and JJ Putz are very good when it
comes to the last six outs of the game. Exactly
what you need and have to be able to rely on in
October.

<B>Anything can happen</b><br><br> As
witnesses to Tuesday night, we all were
reminded anything can happen. This
Diamondbacks team fits that mold to a T.
Expectations were low all season. More than
10 pitchers have toed the rubber to start a
game. They've dealt with season-ending
injuries. It doesn't matter. They show up and
compete night in and night out. Anything can
happen this October. The Diamondbacks can be
anything.

Tyler Bassett is a columnist for ArizonaSports.com. He can be reached with your questions and comments by e-mail here and can follow him on Twitter @Tyler_Bassett, or you can be friends with him on Facebook. All of Tyler Bassett's past columns.

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