ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Arizona Sports Face-Off: 2012 Diamondbacks win total

Apr 2, 2012, 11:24 PM | Updated: Apr 9, 2012, 10:32 pm

The Arizona Diamondbacks surprised all of baseball last
season by winning 94 games and the NL West.

Can they do better this season?

That’s the topic of this week’s Arizona Sports Face Off.

Vince Marotta:
Yes
Adam
Green: No
The Diamondbacks
snuck up on everyone last season, winning 94 games and the
NL West crown. Now, they’re the sexy pick among national
pundits to win the pennant in the senior circuit.

But can they surpass that win total from a year ago? My
answer is ‘yes’.

Only four players who saw action last season in the NLDS
against Milwaukee are gone (Cowgill, Parker, Burroughs,
Owings). You don’t see teams experience that little
roster turnover over the course of the offseason.

Plus, they added former All-Star pitcher Trevor Cahill and
outfielder Jason Kubel, who received AL MVP votes just
three seasons ago.

And, I know what you’re thinking…”they don’t have
Stephen Drew to start the season.” Let me remind you that
the D-backs went 42-22 last year after Drew’s horrific
ankle injury.

This is going to be a very good baseball team that wins at
least 95 games.

I would love for nothing more than to
say the Diamondbacks will surpass last season’s win total,
but I can’t. Just can’t.

Remember, 94 wins is a substantial number, one the D-backs
have topped just twice in franchise history (I mis-spoke
in the video). Sure, that
doesn’t mean it can’t happen again, but everything went
right for them last year and, unfortunately, you can’t
expect good fortune.

Nor can you expect the NL West to be as bad, as the Giants
and Dodgers will both be better, taking away a few wins
that would have been there last season.

Are the 2012 D-backs better than the 2011 version?
Probably. But it won’t be shown in the win total.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Jordan Montgomery...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ lack of execution spoils Jordan Montgomery outing vs. Cardinals

Jordan Montgomery's quality start gave the Arizona Diamondbacks every opportunity to break Wednesday's series finale at the Cardinals open.

4 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks logo...

Haboob Blog

Diamondbacks minor leaguer accomplishes rare 5-strikeout inning

D-backs RHP prospect Jhosmer Alvarez struck out five hitters in a single inning for Single-A Visalia against the Inland Empire 66ers.

6 hours ago

Corbin Carroll swings and breaks his bat...

Arizona Sports

Corbin Carroll slides to 7th in Diamondbacks’ batting order vs. Cardinals

The Arizona Diamondbacks are shaking up the lineup against the St. Louis Cardinals with Corbin Carroll sliding down the batting order.

9 hours ago

D-backs assistant GM Mike Fitzgerald joins Wolf & Luke to discuss recent injuries to the team, incl...

Bailey Leasure

Assistant GM Mike Fitzgerald: It’s hard to read the Diamondbacks due to injuries

D-backs assistant general manager Mike Fitzgerald admitted judging Arizona has been difficult considering the rash of injuries.

10 hours ago

Pavin Smith drives in six runs as the D-backs beat the Cardinals 14-1....

Associated Press

Pavin Smith drives in 6 runs as Diamondbacks rout Cardinals

Pavin Smith hits a grand slam and drove in a career-high six runs to help the Diamondbacks to a 14-1 win over the Cardinals Tuesday.

21 hours ago

D-backs put up 14 runs in six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday....

Bailey Leasure

Diamondbacks drop Cardinals with home-run party

Pavin Smith hits a grand slam as the D-backs swung early Tuesday, putting up 14 runs as they beat the Cardinals 14-1.

22 hours ago

Arizona Sports Face-Off: 2012 Diamondbacks win total