2008 Arizona Diamondbacks MLB Predictions & Season Preview
June 6, 2008
The Diamondbacks stunned the league last season by winning the NL West despite starting 3 rookies in the field and just a $52 million on-field payroll. Now they have to expect to be a contender for years to come by acquiring Dan Haren, who with Brandon Webb and Randy Johnson could provide the best 1-2-3 punch in the league. That is, if Johnson can finally stay healthy of course. Below Larry gives you his 2008 Arizona Diamondbacks predictions along with a season preview of what to expect.
Starting Rotation:
The Diamondbacks are looking to get back to the good old days where Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson could not be stopped en route to a World Series title. Now they hope Dan Haren and Brandon Webb can be that same 1-2 punch this season. Sprinkle in the experience of Johnson and there is likely to be some more magic in Arizona this season. Webb has finished first and second in the last two NL Cy Young votes and had added a changeup and a breaking ball to his state-of-the-art sinking fastball, which is perhaps the best in the big leagues. The addition of the breaking stuff gives hitters more to worry about. This is a result of his career-high 194 strikeouts in 207 while posting a 42-inning scoreless streak, tied for the 12th longest in history. Johnson returns after another back surgery. Randy reminded the league how dominant he could be when healthy by positing a 4-0 rcord with a 1.52 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 29.2 innings from May 15-June 10. Doug Davis stepped up when Johnson went out by winning 7 of his first 8 decisions. Micah Owings, who had a strong rookie year on the mound and at the plate, rounds out the rotation after a season in which he was 3rd among NL rookies with eight victories and second with 152.2 innings and 106 strikeouts. He can hit better than half the players on this team as well. Righthanders Edgar Gonzalez and Yusmeiro Petit are fall-back candidates if Johnson’s back does not hold up.
Bullpen:
The Diamondbacks traded closer Jose Valverde to the Astros after he led the league in saves last season with 47. This will be the biggest question mark for Arizona in 2008. Can either Tony Pena, Brandon Lyon or newcomer Chad Qualls fill these big shoes left by Valverde? The D-Backs made this move because Valverde’s value couldn’t possibly be higher and they believe they have the arms to replace him. Pena has been labeled as a closer type since his arrival in July 2006, and he has the fastball-slider combination that plays well in the role. Qualls has the same combination and Lyons did well for the Diamondbacks in 2005 by converting 13 of 14 save opportunities. He has been a superb setup man since and had 35 holds last season. Doug Slaten has become a left-handed specialist, while Juan Cruz seems to have found his role as a two-inning man, averaging 12.8 strikeouts per nine innings pitches last season. Edgar Gonzales is the top candidate to be the long man when the starter’s struggle early and serve as Johnson insurance.
Line-Up:
CF Chris Young has an exciting power/speed combination as the D-Backs’ leadoff hitter and is still improving. 2B Orlando Hudson has three straight Gold Gloves and has to get a little bit of credit for the starter’s success over the years. Hudson’s offensive numbers keep climbing as well in the No. 2 spot in this lineup. 1B Conor Jackson is a strong doubles hitter who makes solid contact. His power could come this season. LF Eric Byrnes is the 11th player in history with a 20-homer, 50-stolen base season. 3B Mark Reynolds will bat 5th after hitting his way to the majors with light-tower power and a good glove. SS Stephen Drew is a terrific two-way player who rose above his 2007 struggles. RF Justin Upton is only 20 years old, but has 30-home, 100-RBI offensive capabilities in the No. 7 spot. C Chris Snyder is a terrific defender and a staff leader who is improving steadily at the plate. Off the bench you will see C Miguel Montero, 1B/3B Chad Tracy, UT Chris Burke, IF Augie Ojeda and OF Jeff Salazzar. Montero hit .351 as a pinch-hitter last season. Tracy has a career .307 average at Chase Field. Burke can play virtually anywhere, while Ojeda is a flawless defender who his .327 last September. This Diamondbacks’ lineup should be much more effective than they were last season to help out the starting pitching.
Diamondbacks 2008 Predictions:
Arizona has done a brilliant job of filling in their needs with young talent in Young, Hudson and Byrnes in their 2006 class. These guys have really panned out. Davis, Johnson and Haren have now given them a big boost in the starting rotation after acquiring them in the ‘07-08 seasons. The Diamondbacks should be a contender for the long haul, even with a payroll in the mid-$70 million range for the next few years. Valverde’s departure will be the only loss the Diamondbacks have to overcome, and I feel what’s left in the bullpen will easily get the job done this season. Arizona will win the mediocre NL West for a second straight year and don’t be surprised to see this team in the World Series.
Larry Cook finished with the #5 World Ranking with his baseball picks in 2007 last year. Hard work with research, analysis and starting pitcher breakdowns gives Larry the edge over your sportsbook and bookies. You won’t believe the kind of profits you can make by signing up for any of Larry’s long-term packages. By doing so, you will get in on all of his winning MLB action this season. Larry will guide you to profits you have never seen before once he makes his move up to the #1 spot in 2008.
2008 Arizona Diamondbacks Odds:
Odds to win NL West:
9/5
Odds to win 2008 NL Pennant:
11/2
Odds to win 2008 World Series:
18/1