A Changed Mindset.
My old mindset. Success is reaching the postseason. The Diamondbacks blew previous it.
My new mindset. Success is competing deep into the postseason. More particularly, success is reaching the NLCS.
So far, the Diamondbacks received three video games within the NLCS. That hasn’t occurred since 2001. After a spot of 21 years with none wins within the NLCS, this season’s Diamondbacks are profitable video games within the NLCS.
A New Statement.
Are you awake? If not, get up now for an eye-opening assertion: This season’s Diamondbacks are nearly as good or higher than the 2001 Diamondbacks. That assertion was based mostly on observations of postseason play:
- In this postseason, beginning pitchers made three appearances (in contrast with 4 in 2001) with at the very least 4 scoreless innings.
- In every of the 2001 and 2023 postseasons, the Diamondbacks received a bullpen recreation within the NLCS. (recreation 4 vs the Braves and recreation 4 vs the Phillies). The 2001 Diamondbacks used 6 pitchers with 3.1 inning most. The 2023 Diamondbacks confirmed extra bullpen depth utilizing 8 pitchers with 2.0 inning most (and 25 pitch most).
- In every of the 2001 and 2023 postseasons, eight totally different gamers hit a home run. The vital distinction was that whereas 11 homers had been hit in 2001, 18 homers (to this point) had been hit in 2023.
Let’s examine excellent beginning pitching performances.
The following desk reveals the Diamondbacks’ excellent postseason beginning pitching performances (at the very least 4 innings and no runs allowed, earned or unearned).
Data from Baseball Reference.
The desk reveals that the 2001 and 2023 Diamondbacks had excellent performances.
Side Note: In this postseason between 3 October and 19 October, there have been 12 excellent beginning pitching performances. With 3 every, the 2 groups competing within the NLCS (Diamondbacks and Phillies) had been tied, and collectively they accounted for half of the excellent beginning pitching performances. Christian Javier and Brandon Pfaadt stood above the remainder, every with 9 strikeouts. However, Javier had 5 walks and Pfaadt had zero walks.
Let’s have a look at the bullpen.
This postseason, with out Randy Johnson and Curt Shilling as starters, the bullpen has a bigger workload than 2001. This postseason, within the NLDS, the Dodgers ended a streak of 57 consecutive postseason outs by the bullpen with none runs scoring. In the NLCS, the Phillies (recreation 2) ended a streak of 16 consecutive outs (20 batters confronted) with none runs scoring. And in recreation 4 of the NLCS, the Diamondbacks received a bullpen recreation. My view is that the 2023 bullpen, though not excellent, is superb!
Let’s examine batters hitting home runs.
The following desk reveals the ages and homers for the eight gamers who hit homers within the postseasons of 2001 and 2023. A caveat is that the 2023 postseason shouldn’t be over, so extra names may be part of the desk.
Data from Baseball Reference.
A window of competition is open.
The Diamondbacks window of competition will stay open subsequent season as a result of its’ best gamers are younger than they had been in 2001.
Younger Starting Pitchers. In 2001 and 2023, there have been excellent beginning pitching performances by 5 pitchers. In 2001, Randy Johnson was 38, Curt Schilling was 34, and Miguel Batista was 30. In 2023, Merrill Kelly was 34 and Brandon Pfaadt was 24 & 25. Note: In the 2023 postseason, Zac Gallen (age 28) is overdue for an impressive pitching efficiency.
Younger Batters. In 2001 and 2023, eight totally different gamers hit homers. In 2001, the youngest batters had been Rod Barajas (26) and Erubiel Duranzo (27). In 2023, the 4 youngest batters had been 23 years old.
- Near sure Rookie-of-the-Year with 25 Homers and 54 stolen bases (plus 2 of every within the postseason), Corbin Carroll.
- With a league main 48% caught stealing share throughout common season, Gold Glove award finalist, with 3 homers this postseason, amd apart from barely an excessive amount of enjoying time would have contended for Rookie-of-the-Year, Gabriel Moreno.
- With 4 homers this postseason, and Gold Glove award finalist in heart area, Alek Thomas.
- With 2 homers this postseason, All-Star shortstop this season, Geraldo Perdomo.
Summary.
The 2023 Diamondbacks are nearly as good as or higher than the 2001 Diamondbacks. In both case, the 2023 Diamondbacks are younger and this season a window of competition opened.
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