Many baseball experts and fans alike are predicting a World Series trip for the Arizona Diamondbacks this season.
It’s hard not to think about this team that way, especially considering the wonderful season they had in 2011, and how close they got to the NLCS, just falling short to the Brewers in the NLDS.
That’s neither here nor there now, as we are on the cusp of a new season, and as spring comes around in Arizona, hope truly springs eternal, especially for fans of the Diamondbacks.
A great majority of players wish either spring training was shorter, or they could just jump right into the season, which we know would NEVER happen.
Diamondbacks pitcher Joe Saunders was 1-2 in his five spring training starts, with a 7.98 ERA. He was ready for the start of the season a long time ago.
“Enough of this spring training stuff,” Saunders said after his final start on Wednesday against the Brewers at Chase Field. “Let’s play some games that really count.”
The Diamondbacks will try to repeat as NL West champions for the first time since the 2001-02 season.
We all know what happened in 2001 don’t we?
Standing in their way, and first up on the schedule are their division rivals, the San Francisco Giants, who roll into Phoenix for the weekend.
These are the very reigning world champion Giants who were dispatched last September by the Diamondbacks.
“I’m sure they didn’t like that too much,” said shortstop Willie Bloomquist. “I’m sure they’re going to be gunning for us, which is great, it makes the game fun.”
