Diamondbacks 2018 Season Preview
Ready to check out our 2018 Arizona Diamondbacks predictions? The Diamondbacks are hoping this is the year that they can take that next step forward in the playoffs.
MLB Diamondbacks Predictions & Handicapping Insight
The Diamondbacks are coming off a playoff appearance but didn’t make significant improvements this offseason. Their pitching should be solid once again but the search for a big bat in the middle of the lineup will likely carry over until the middle part of the season.
2018 MLB Team Previews – Arizona Diamondbacks
- National League West +550
- National League +1200
- World Series +2300
Key Additions:
- Steven Souza, Jr
- Alex Avila
- Jarrod Dyson
Souza Jr, and Dyson provide some much needed depth in outfield as AJ Pollock has a history of health issues and Yasmany Tomas has proven to be one of the worst contracts in baseball considering his inability to field at all and his inconsistency at the plate.
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Avila provides another veteran catcher with a little more pop in his bat. He could hit over 20 homers.
Key Losses:
- IF Brandon Drury
- OF JD Martinez
Martinez is obviously the biggest loss as he was one of the best hitters in baseball once he was acquired by Arizona from Detroit. Drury was part of the Souza trade so the DBacks obviously felt more concerned with their outfield depth than their infield depth.
Diamondbacks Predictions: Projected Lineup:
- RF David Peralta
- CF AJ Pollock
- 1B Paul Goldschmidt
- 3B Jake Lamb
- C Alex Avila
- 2B Ketel Marte
- SS Nick Ahmed
- LF Jarrod Dyson
This looks like it will be their Opening Day lineup as Souza’s status is in question as he recovers from a shoulder strain. The concern here is obviously the power. The Diamondbacks went and got Martinez last season to help fill that hole but really failed to fill it again once they lost out on Martinez in free agency.
Souza definitely provides some pop but at this time Goldschmidt appears to be their best power threat and he may not break 30 home runs. This lineup could have some trouble at times if the power doesn’t start to show up.
Diamondbacks Predictions: Projected Rotation:
- RH Zack Greinke
- LH Robbie Ray
- RH Taijuan Walker
- LH Patrick Corbin
- RH Zack Godley
This Diamondbacks rotation has potential to be one of the best in the National League. Greinke bounced back last season with a very good year. Ray and Godley really developed into dominant pitchers to follow up Greinke, And, Walker and Corbin both have fantastic stuff but are still trying to figure it out a bit.
Corbin’s ceiling is starting to become clear but Walker is still only 25 so he could break out this season. Health like every rotation is important but this group should dominate enough to make up for when the lineup is struggling.
Diamondbacks Predictions: Projected Closer:
- RH Archie Bradley
Bradley appears to be the guy but the Diamondbacks have a handful of arms in the pen that can close out ball games.
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The addition of Brad Boxberger from Tampa Bay as well as Yoshihisa Hirano from Japan gives Arizona plenty of options to finish out ballgames. Assuming someone takes this role and runs with it, the Diamondbacks will still have great options late in the game to get outs.
2018 Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction:
I think you will see the pitching staff and bullpen do the most work in winning games for Arizona.
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It is not a bad recipe to pick up wins but at some point, the lineup will have to do something to turn Arizona into a playoff team again. Don’t rule out a midseason acquisition of a big bat.
Expect the Diamondbacks to make a run at the division title but end up the Wild Card game for the second straight season.
What do you think of our 2018 Arizona Diamondbacks predictions? Comments are welcome below.
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