How is Arizona winning?

Question

Look at their Runs Scored vs. Runs allowed. The SF Giants (Last place) have more runs scored and less runs allowed.

Are they winning close games and then getting blown out in losses?

Answer 1

Arizona is having just about everything go right for them, to the point of absurdity. If you check the adjusted standings from Baseball Prospectus, you'll see that any measure has them well below .500:

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/standings.php

Fortunately for them, all that matters are the "real" standings that still have them in first. I wouldn't be surprised, though, to see them hit a losing streak at some point. Their "luck" has to run out at some point.

Answer 2

Regardless, I'd wouldn't be placing my bets on Arizona to make the playoffs.

Consider the Washington Nationals of 2005. They were the exact team as the Dbacks except there were a lot more vets. The Nats were unbeleivable in the first half of the season. I think they had about 20 come form behind wins after the 7th inng. And they were >>>>21<<<< games over .500 in one run games. And they led the division by 6 games over the braves at the all-star break. At this point they were being outscored by their opponents. They had something like 34 wins in 1 run games.

What happened in the second half? All the 1 run wins the Nats were winning pre-AS break, they were losing post-AS break (note that their bullpen was ridiculously good). At the end of the season they were .500 in 1 run games.

So if history is any indication, the Dbacks will see their luck change sooner or later. The only question is how quickly the luck will change.


**The same can be applied to the Brewers also--although the stretch during which they won close games wasn't as long as Dbacks.

One thing you can say that is that having a strong bullpen keeps your luck longer.

Answer 3

it's simple -- pitching wins games. Idk how the guys they have are doing it. I only see Webb as a good, reliable pitcher. Mix in the pitching with a good closer which helps. But their offense is real week. It should be good in the future just not today. Young only hits HR's. 28 HR plus a 235 AVG just doesnt add up. Granted he's got a ton of time to do well. Then you have another rookie in Upton who will be a stud soon but just not this year. Then Drew is underachieving this year and I don't see Mark Reynolds being anything special. But to answer your question they're winning just by pitching and scoring just enough runs to win. It's evident that they're just scoring enough runs based on the amount of saves Valverde has -- lots of save opps.

Answer 4

I heard that stat on baseball tonight yesterday evening. If you look at the results of their games prior to the break they won a lot of close games and lost a large number of games L1-7 ect. In their last 23 they went 15-8 and were outscored 110-115 so it easy to see where the numbers come from.

Answer 5

Cause they have everything a team needs. They got hitting in Byrns and speed all over. Then there is Webb on the mound and a very good closer. I think a major things also is that most of them are young and have a true passion for the game which gives them an edge in my eyes.

Answer 6

You answered your own question their 29-16 in one run games and 8-5 in extra innings. the pitching relief pitching is so good that when they lead in the 7 and beyond they are hard to beat. The best way to beat them is to jump on them early. and they have a collection of great young players from 1-5 in the batting order

Answer 7

LOL, I was trying to figure the same thing out. But that is exactly what happens, they can score a lot and also give up a lot.

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Answer 8

They are winning the close ones - they scrap and hustle to get the job done.

e

Answer 9

2 words:

Eric Byrnes

Answer 10

They are doing everything right at this point in the season.