This rave is directed at Cliff Corcoran, the Sports Illustrated writer who just predicted the Arizona Diamondbacks will finish with a .500 record in 2016.
I get that naming a playoff team this early is a pretty big leap. But 81-81?
Last year, the D-backs finished 79-83 last year with Josh Collmenter as their Opening Day starter. All due respect to Collmenter: He's now in the D-backs' bullpen. Rubby De La Rosa led the team with 14 wins last year; he barely made this year's rotation.
It goes without saying that the offseason additions of aces Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller are, as The Donald would say, yuuuuge. With Greinke No. 1, Miller No. 2, and a guy who's poised to have a breakout year at No. 3 in Patrick Corbin, that's one of the best top halves in baseball.
How about the offense? They were already second-best in the National League last year. And right now, Paul Goldschmidt, A.J. Pollock, David Peralta and a number of other guys are only getting better -- not to mention new additions like Jean Segura, who's been crushing it this spring.
I know we shouldn't look too close at spring numbers, but the Diamondbacks are the best team in the majors. It doesn't mean a lot, but it certainly means something.
So, with an improved offense that was already stout and an undisputedly improved pitching staff -- Cliff, you think you think they'll finish two games better than last year? It makes me think you haven't seen a lot of our team here in the desert.
In fact, I Googled it, and you're from Jersey. It's tough to be an expert from 2,000 miles away.
