Apr. 22, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks batter Gerardo Parra (right) celebrates after hitting a grand slam in the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Boy that opening three game sweep against the San Francisco Giants seems like it was two months ago.

While the Arizona Diamondbacks salvaged the final game of their series against the Atlanta Braves snapping their five game losing skid, problems still remain. Daniel Hudson was placed on the Disabled List with shoulder woes.  Outside of Gerardo Para’s grand slam yesterday the bats have gone stale.  Justin Upton’s return will help but Chris Young is still over a week away and was hands down the best D-Back player over the first week and a half.  After a 3-0 start, Arizona stands at .500 with an 8-8 mark.  While they started slowly last season and this season is still too young to be in panic mode, there are two notable differences.  One is that the Los Angeles Dodgers figure to be tough all season.  They have started 2012 the way they finished 2011:  strong.   Also, the young D-Backs are now facing something they did not face last year:  expectations.  Many people (myself included) have picked them to reach the World Series.  Let us see how they respond when they are expected to win.

Fortunately for the D-Backs, the Philadelphia Phillies are coming to town .  Their offensive issues have been even more pronounced that Arizona’s and now Cliff Lee is on the DL.  The D-Backs will also not face Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels, a sign that maybe the bats can pick it up before heading out on the road.  With Philadelphia finishing up a long trip out West, now is the time for the D-Backs to make up for some ground lost during this recent poor stretch.

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Oct 7, 2011; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ian Kennedy takes batting practice before game five of the 2011 NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

As we chug toward Spring Training, it is worth noting that the Arizona Diamondbacks are entering their 15th year of Major League Baseball.  Since they began play in 1998, there have not been too many franchises that have duplicated the success of the D-Backs.  Granted, much of that success came early in their existence but with the current team of General Manager Kevin Towers and Field Boss Kirk Gibson, Arizona is poised for continued excellence in the foreseeable future.

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