The Diamondbacks Have Defied The Odds This Season

(Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)

The Arizona Diamondbacks have been playing quite well to start the season.

While most expected the team to make some key improvements and take some steps towards contention, few, if any predicted that they would emerge as a postseason contender in 2023.

But that is exactly what the Diamondbacks have done thus far.

The team has seemingly defied all odds early on this season and now lead the National League West by two games over the Los Angeles Dodgers, who won the division last year.

Arizona continued their impressive start on Monday with a 6-3 win over the struggling St. Louis Cardinals.

On Twitter, MLB.com writer John Denton commented on the team’s early success and took note of the fact that they have played the most difficult schedule of any team in baseball based on 2022 win percentages.

The #DBacks — 6-3 winners vs. the #STLCards on Monday — are leading the NL West despite a challenging early schedule.

Based on 2022 win percentages, the DBacks have played the most difficult schedule in the majors thus far (.590 combined opp. win % in 2022), per MLB Research.

— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) April 18, 2023

The combined 2022 winning percentage of the teams Arizona has been facing is .590.

The Diamondbacks have played some tough teams early on, but have managed to pass each test with flying colors.

Arizona has a ton of young stars who are ready to make an impact, including Corbin Carroll, Pavin Smith, and Josh Rojas.

Ketel Marte is also still around.

In addition to their current crop of stars, they made some key moves over the winter, adding Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Gabriel Moreno in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays while also signing veteran slugger Evan Longoria.

Arizona has played some tough teams to start the year.

However, that hasn’t fazed them as they continue their hot start.

The post The Diamondbacks Have Defied The Odds This Season appeared first on The Cold Wire.