2 Reasons Why The Arizona Diamondbacks Are In 1st Place

What a year for Arizona sports fans. Not only do they have the MLB All-Star Festivities but they also have, for the first time in 3 years, a big to make the playoffs. With the Giants struggling on offense, this is the best time for them to make a run. After two last place finishes in the last two years, the Diamondbacks have made an almost incredible and unpredictable season. Here are the 2 main reasons why the D-Backs are back.




1. The Pitching Has Been Extraordinary 

Ian Kennedy is leading Arizona

It all begins with Ian Kennedy. Kennedy is having a Cy Young season. He has 16 wins (Tied for 3rd in MLB, Tied for 1st in NL), a 3.09 ERA (12th in NL), 154 strikeouts (9th in NL) and only 4 losses. After having an average season last year, Kennedy is living up to the potential the D-Backs saw in him. Kennedy has two side-kicks with Joe Saunders (8-11, 3.98 ERA) and Daniel Hudson (13-9, 3.75 ERA). The Bullpen has also not been a major problem. J.J. Putz is pitching like it's 2007 (he had 40 saves and 82 K's). He has 32 saves and 42 strikeouts in 45.2 innings. They traded for sidearmer Brad Ziegler at the trade deadline to add bullpen. He and David Hernandez will be the set-up men.


2. The Offense Has Been Better Then Expected

Justin Upton is a star

Arizona only had 2 All-Stars this year. RF Justin Upton and C Miguel Montero. Both are stars in the making and this year is proving just that. Upton is hitting .298 with 25 home runs, 77 ribbies, 146 hits, 19 stolen bases, 35 doubles, and 5 triples. Montero is batting .269 with 12 homers, 62 RBIs, and 28 doubles. The biggest surprise is 3B Ryan Roberts. Roberts has only played more than 36 games once before this year. He is now played in 117 with a .258 average, 16 diggers, 50 RBIs, 15 steals, and 20 doubles. They also have CF Chris Young with 17 HRs, 57 RBIs, .232 average, 29 doubles, and 18 steals. They have also traded for 2B Aaron Hill, 1B Lyle Overbay, and SS John McDonald. Other key players include OF Gerado Parra, Of Collin Cowgill, and INF/OFWillie Bloomquist.

All in all, watch out for Arizona in September and maybe in October.