The most contested division in the MLB is coming down to teams: The Diamondbacks and Dodgers are neck-and-neck for the NL West division crown. But which team will be able to climb atop the division?
This season has not had a division contest like the one between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks. The teams have been neck-and-neck all season long. The current picture has both teams tied for first place, with the Dodgers winning 7 of their last ten and the D-Backs with just 4. Both also have winning percentages that would put them in a wild-card spot, assuming they finish in second place. The only other team that can challenge the D-Backs and Dodgers is the Giants. But the Giants aren't on quite the same level as their two-division rivals. The Dodgers providing competition to the playoff and NL West race was a surprise to no one. However, the Diamondback's resurgence from their 2021 bottom-feeding and 2022 mediocrity was a shock. The D-Backs have given the Dodgers a run for their money in the division race, but will they be able to dethrone them? Let's explore the justifications for why the D-Backs and Dodgers won the division:
The Case for the Diamondbacks:
The Diamondbacks are a young and feisty team, ready to take down their opponents. One of their opponents happens to be the Dodgers. The rookie of the year(ROTY) frontrunner, Corbin Carrol, has been a significant contributor to the D-Backs 2023 success. Carrol is insanely fast but also has consistent contact to use his speed. Ketel Marte is another reason the Diomonbacks' offense is one of the League's finest. Marte is simply a well-rounded player. There isn't a hitting stat in which he struggles. The pitching staff does not reach the same levels as the offense has, but Zac Gallen keeps the group from being bottom-tier. Gallen is a strikeout machine, with 125, ranking 10th in the MLB. The D-Backs are simply put: A pretty good team. Their offense is elite, and their defense keeps them in games. Their best statistic is stolen bases, in which they rank 3rd.
The Case for the Dodgers:
The Dodgers have been a team of high caliber for some time. They are the most consistent team in the League, and their core has more playoff experience than any other. While the Dodgers' pitching staff is not what it used to be, it remains strong enough to keep them in games, similar to the D-Backs. However, the offense is as elite as ever. Mookie Betts is the prime reason for the offense's high prediction. Betts is an elite power hitter, with 26 home runs and a .586 slugging percentage. Another top performer on the roster is Freddie Freeman. He doesn't need good hitting power with a batting average of .320 but power hitting regardless. The Dodgers are a team that you know will be relevant and contending.
The Verdict:
The D-Backs and Dodgers are well matched, thus the question in the first place. Nonetheless, the Dodgers win this one. Both teams have similar statistics, but the Dodgers can outlast opponents. They're a team you can trust to contend, and the Diamondbacks may not have what it takes to outclass the Dodgers through 162 games. There is one statistic that the Dodgers take advantage of, which is point differential. Their differential of 82 significantly surpasses the D-Backs' 22. The Dodgers have also played much better as of late winning 7 of their last ten games and five in a row. The Dodgers edge out the D-Backs, to win the NL West for the second year in a row.
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