What experts are saying about the D-backs entering the 2018 season

Opening Day has arrived, bringing with it high expectations for the Arizona Diamondbacks after a successful 2017 season.

In just their first year with the club, manager Torey Lovullo and GM Mike Hazen led the the D-backs to 93 wins in the regular season and a playoff appearance for the first time in five years.

So what can be expected from Arizona this season? MLB experts gave their predictions for how the D-backs will fare in 2018.

FanRag Sports Network’s Jon Heyman

FanRag Sports Network’s Jon Heyman predicted the D-backs to once again finish second in the NL West behind the Los Angeles Dodger.

The rotation showed 2016 was just an off year, but they need Zack Greinke to repeat what he did to challenge favored LA.

Heyman also predicted that D-backs infielder Paul Goldschmidt will finish third in the NL MVP voting behind Chicago’s Kris Bryant and Washington’s Bryce Harper.

Bleacher Report’s Scott Miller

Bleacher Report’s Scott Miller said the D-backs have the ability to contend for an NL West title if the roster can stay healthy.

Adding Steven Souza Jr. after losing J.D. Martinez will be a nice recovery, as soon as Souza returns from the disabled list (right pectoral strain). Robbie Ray developed into an ace last summer, and Zack Greinke’s curveball is next to godliness. Paul Goldschmidt remains the most underrated superstar in the game. With manager Torey Lovullo directing this talented team, there is no letup in sight. If things break right, the D-backs can end the Dodgers’ five-year grip on the NL West title.

ESPN’s Sam Miller

ESPN’s Sam Miller gave the D-backs two goals for the 2018 season, adding that he believes at least one will be accomplished.

• Make the playoffs
• Win 90 games

The Diamondbacks’ front office is quite secure, job-wise, after an unexpectedly strong season and postseason appearance last year. Anything less than the playoffs will be moving backward, though, especially because, unlike the Mariners, the Diamondbacks project to be a playoff team right now. Windows don’t stay open forever: They have a bad farm system, their second-best position player (A.J. Pollock) will be a free agent next winter and their success has been built on the world’s most fragile resource, healthy starting pitchers. Their chances are probably better this year than next.

Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer

While Scott Miller gave his prediction for each team in 2018, Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer predicted each division’s champion and Wild Cards, with the D-backs falling into the same position as last season.

Wild Card 1: Arizona Diamondbacks

If the Diamondbacks, who surprisingly won 93 games last year, didn’t seem primed for a regression before, they might now after injuries to Zack Greinke and Steven Souza Jr.

Greinke’s groin injury isn’t serious enough to warrant a DL stint, however. He thus stands to once again lead a rotation that was among MLB’s best in 2017. And once Souza is healthy, he’ll join forces with Paul Goldschmidt and Jake Lamb to form the backbone of one of the NL’s better offenses.

Is another 93-win season in store? No. But the D-backs are good enough to avoid a major step back.

USA Today Sports

USA Today Sports predicted the D-backs to finish 84-78 in 2018, one-game behind the Colorado Rockies and 10 behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.

But five members of the seven-person panel of baseball writers still predict the D-backs to advance to the NLDS for a second-straight year as a Wild Card.

As for postseason awards, Stephen Borelli predicted Zack Greinke to win the 2018 NL Cy Young Award.

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