8. NL West revival
In 2011, the Arizona Diamondbacks claimed the NL West. Since, then, the division has been owned by the Dodgers and Giants. From 2012-2016, Los Angeles and San Francisco made the playoffs a combined seven times and had the senior circuit’s third and fifth-best records over that stretch. The two teams were generally good but were also aided by dismal play from their division mates.
The Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres failed to post even one winning season in that five-year stretch. They were the National League’s worst (Rockies), fourth worst (Padres), and fifth worst (Diamondbacks) teams. That’s changed. The Padres are struggling through another season, but the Diamondbacks and Rockies are thriving.
So, what’s making them go?
Arizona has been partially aided by the return of A.J. Pollock. He’s been effective when on the field but has spent a good portion of the season on the DL. Zack Greinke’s bounce-back season could have been expected. But the rotation has been bolstered by guys like Robbie Ray, Zack Godley, and when he’s been healthy, Taijuan Walker. The offense has been led by the continued brilliance of Paul Goldschmidt, as well as guys Jake Lamb, Brandon Drury and David Peralta.
As always, the offense has been a boost for Colorado. Nolan Arenado has been steady as usual. Mark Reynolds has moved from a longball or bust kind of player to a well-rounded hitter (.300/.382/.561). Charlie Blackmon has been an MVP candidate (.325/.373/.603, 15 home runs).
What’s unexpected has been the Rockies’ pitching. Colorado’s hurlers have hung around the top 10 in staff ERA all year. For a team that plays half of its games at Coors Field, that’s essentially unheard of.
But guys like Antonio Senzatela, Kyle Freeland, Tyler Chatwood and Jeff Hoffman have been good.
The @hoff_23 can flat out pitch. 💪 https://t.co/B3lFaJgIPl
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) June 11, 2017
They’re not going to remind anyone of the 1990’s Atlanta Braves, but they don’t have to. The Colorado offense is more than good enough to win games for this team, as long as the pitching staff is decent. So far, it has been.
When unexpected teams start winning, you look for regression. But the Diamondbacks and Rockies are loaded with contributors. That’s going to make any regression a lot harder to come by.