The last time the Diamondbacks finished in first, they started the next season 20-8 and looked like the best team in baseball. Soon thereafter the fickleness of teams coming off surprise division victories struck them hard. Arizona didn’t even finish .500.
Whether these Diamondbacks are built of the same flimsy material as their 2008 counterparts or something more substantive depends more than anything on their pitching – Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, Cahill and stud prospects Trevor Bauer, Tyler Skaggs and Archie Bradley – than, say, the return of Stephen Drew (out after shattering an ankle) or the predilection for D-backs starters to give up fly balls (which Kubel may chase in amusing fashion).
It all starts with the three top starters, plus Josh Collmenter and Saunders for now, and moves onto what could be the most intelligent bullpen in the major leagues. Craig Breslow: Yale graduate. Brad Zielger: Missouri State graduate. J.J. Putz: went to Michigan. All three of the other Diamondbacks’ American relievers matriculated, too. Even Saito went to Tohoku Fukushi University. Oh, and they can pitch fine as well. Especially effective in the playoffs was Bryan Shaw, whose delivery looks like Francisco Rodriguez’s and who could make himself into a fine bridge to Putz alongside David Hernandez and Saito. - http://sports.yahoo.com/
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