Dodgers: Sizing Up the NL West- Diamondbacks

This article is part two of a five-part series in which I will break down the Dodgers’ competition in the NL West for the 2018 season. The articles will feature the teams’ offseason additions and subtractions, a pitcher to watch out for, a batter to watch out for, and a season expectation.

The Diamondbacks are no joke anymore. Having a roster flooded with talent, the D-backs are capable of competing with the best teams in the league. Their bullpen is revamped and working, the lineup is healthy and hitting, and their rotation features two of the games’ best pitchers in Robbie Ray and Zack Greinke.

Last year, the D-backs finished with a record of 93-69, the third-best record since the team joined the league in 1998. They finished second in the division to the Dodgers and also claimed the top wild-card spot where they beat the Rockies in a back and forth thriller filled with pitching changes and tons of home runs. Under 2018 manager of the year Torey Lovullo, the team advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs where they were swept by the Dodgers.

Albeit a rather poor performance in the NLDS, the team certainly showed an immense amount of improvement and that their future is bright. After an interesting offseason, here is what you need to know about the Arizona Diamondbacks.