How will the Diamondbacks’ performance in their first 20 games impact their overall success as a team?
Fans have been waiting for over five years for the Arizona Diamondbacks to return to the postseason, leaving them wondering when the team will make a comeback to the playoffs.
As the Diamondbacks gear up to face the Dodgers in Los Angeles for the season opener, many are curious to see if 2023 will be the year of success for the team. With a fresh roster and high expectations for the season, there is optimism surrounding the Diamondbacks’ potential for greatness.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are looking strong with newcomer Corbin Carroll, last year’s top WAR players Christian Walker and Josh Rojas leading the team’s infield. With this lineup, they are ready to compete for a playoff spot in the tough NL West division.
Still, oddsmakers for Arizona sports betting are not convinced by the hype surrounding the D-backs.
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Arizona team has odds of +12500 to win their second World Series and is projected to win 75.5 games.
Nevertheless, despite having a stacked infield and a formidable starting rotation anchored by Merrill Kelly (3.5 WAR in 2022) and Zac Gallen (5.1 WAR in 2022), there are reasons to remain optimistic.
Yengols.com, the premier destination for Arizona sports betting app information, examined the best and worst seasons of the franchise to determine the impact of the first 20 games of the regular season on a team’s overall success.
Best Diamondbacks Seasons*
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Worst Diamondbacks Seasons
What is the significance of the first 20 games for the D-Backs?
The Diamondbacks’ 26-year history demonstrates that a strong start is not always necessary for success. Their top three seasons, including their 2001 World Series campaign, saw an average of 10.3 wins at the beginning of the season. In contrast, their three worst seasons in 2004, 2014, and 2021 had an average of only 8.7 wins per year.
According to Power Rankings Guru, the D-backs are ranked 11th in terms of strength of schedule for 2023, indicating that the schedule may become more evenly balanced after a tough start.
During their first 20 games, the D-backs will have eight matchups against the Dodgers, split evenly between home and away games. They will also play San Diego, Milwaukee, Miami, and St. Louis three times each.
Among the five teams discussed, the Dodgers, Padres, and Cardinals all clinched spots in the postseason. The Brewers finished the season with a record of 86-76, while the Marlins had a tough time with a 69-93 season.
If the D-backs can successfully make it through the difficult initial stretch of games, they will be in contention for a Wild Card spot in the National League.
Which player has the potential to shine for Arizona this year?
Keep an eye on the Rookie of the Year contender in Carroll, as well as infielders like Walker, Rojas, and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, who had a 0.7 WAR in 148 games in 2022.
In the offseason, the D-backs shook things up by acquiring Kyle Lewis, the 2020 AL Rookie of the Year, from Seattle in exchange for catcher Cooper Hummel. They are optimistic that the 27-year-old will showcase his best performance while playing in the desert.
In 2023, Kelly, Gallen, and Zach Davies will anchor the pitching staff after a stellar season where they combined for 9.3 WAR and 27 wins.
In order to secure a postseason appearance in 2023, Arizona must maximize the use of all resources at their disposal to achieve peak performance.
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Author
Peterson Christopher has over seven years of experience covering sports and sports betting in Arizona. He has worked for ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly, and the Green Valley News before becoming the lead writer at yengols.com.
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