Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eric Chavez greets teammate first baseman Paul Goldschmidt after Goldschmidt hit a two run homer during the first inning against the Miami Marlins. IMAGE: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

In case you’re not an Internet baseball junky like the present author, you may not be aware that a new tool was recently released that allows us to look ahead to the playoffs like never before. FanGraphs recently released a new standings forecast tool that projects the final standings of the season. To do this, the model takes lots of factors into account. For example, it uses a team’s current record, the allotment of playing time to players, the health of players, their projected production and much more to project the final standings. I won’t pretend to be able to explain every aspect of the model because I’m just barely functional at math, but you can read more about it here. Better yet, the standings are updated daily, so you should bookmark them now.

So why would I tell you about this? Well, it currently predicts the Diamondbacks to finish the season with 85 wins and 77 losses. That would be good for second in the division, behind the Giants who are projected to win 87 games and ahead of the Dodgers who, despite their terrible start, are projected to win 82. More importantly, it puts the Diamondbacks in the thick of the wild card race and not far behind the Giants for the division.

Along with the Giants, the Cardinals and the Braves are projected win their respective divisions. That leaves quality teams like the Reds, Pirates, and Nationals to compete with the Diamondbacks for a bid into the postseason. The Reds are projected to finish with 87 wins while the Pirates are currently projected for 86 wins. Both the Nationals and Diamondbacks are projected to win 85. Essentially, Arizona will have to outperform the two of these three teams (CIN, PIT, WAS) at the very least to reach the playoffs if Arizona doesn’t win the NL West outright.

If the team can win two extra games and reach 87 wins, they’ll likely make the playoffs and be in better position to capitalize on any slip by the Giants. These two extra victories, or “marginal wins,” are the most critical wins to the team’s season. Our playoff destiny likely hangs in the balance of the team being able to achieve a measly two more wins than their current projection.

Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers. IMAGE: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

This is where Kevin Towers, Kirk Gibson and the rest of the brain trust earns their cash. These two extra wins likely don’t reside on the current roster. Stabilizing the bullpen with the right acquisition(s) could net an extra win or two alone. A right-handed bench bat and the proper usage of the outfield when Adam Eaton returns could also make a (relatively) large difference. Of course, staying healthy will be critical, too. We should assume that the Reds, Pirates and Nationals will likely try to make similar moves in the trade market to ensure their success, so we’ll be competing with them in the trade market as well as in the standings.

Maximizing the current roster should be the number one priority, closely followed by shoring up any weaknesses through trades and/or call-ups. Standing pat likely won’t get it done unless some players significantly overachieve. Didi won’t hit .350 forever and Corbin won’t keep his ERA at 1.50 all season. Conversely, Montero will start to click eventually and McCarthy has nowhere to go but up. Regression will happen in Arizona, as it does all throughout baseball. With that said, the front office shouldn’t bank on small sample size performances when making decisions about what to do to improve the team down the line. KT and Company are smart enough to know this.

Now that we know where we stand over 25% of the way through the season, it’s important that the team makes the necessary adjustments to pick up an extra win or two. Hit 87 wins and you’re likely in. Finish with 83 and you’re likely out. 84 or 85 and anything can happen.  This is a quality team, but a little extra nudge from the front office and coaching staff will be required if we want to see the playoffs. They know this and I don’t think the 2013 Arizona Diamondbacks are a finished product at the moment.

I don’t like seeing the Pirates shake hands after playing the Diamondbacks.

I picked the Pirates to win the NL Central but I’m not sure why I did because this team really isn’t that good. Aside from Andrew McCutchen, who is a jerk for running down every ball in the outfield, this team is nothing to write home about. (Seriously though, McCutchen is a stud in center). That being said, they are fairly gritty and Arizona should probably be taking notes on that. I think there are two reasons why the D’backs are scuffling as of late. I realize that a two-game losing streak is not scuffling but I think there are some issues that should be touched upon. The first is the inconsistency in starting pitching. Steve Berthiaume said it best last night when he continually referred to Brandon McCarthy as looking “uncomfortable” on the mound. I agree. Something has not been clicking for him out there. I’m not sure if it is related to the frightening injury he sustained last year or maybe the change of scenery to the desert, but something is off. With Trevor Cahill struggling out of the gate, it’s difficult to be confident in a team that has a shaky middle of the rotation. I think it’s fair to call it shaky right now. Wade Miley will go this afternoon for Arizona to try and right the ship a little before we have to deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Although this issue was expected this season, strikeouts are starting to pile up. This team has 61 strikeouts through eight games. what I have been noticing is that there have been a number of at-bats where players seem overly anxious at the plate. I think Gerardo Parra and Martin Prado are both guilty of trying to do too much with a certain pitch, then end up striking out. Martin Prado did have a good at-bat last night in the 9th inning, however. I think as Diamondbacks fans, we are weary of the strikeout because recent years have not been good to us. I’m looking at you, Mark Reynolds. I hate that I’m getting so frustrated watching this team right now because it is only eight games into the year, which is a relief. As fans and reporters, we learn to dissect our favorite teams and with that comes a sense of unnecessary sensitivity. One bright spot of last night was that Heath Bell had a very effective appearance. It’s a shame there were only about 900 fans at Chase Field to see it…

I had a bad feeling about these last two games because right from the first pitch, my MLB.TV coverage was really choppy and unclear on FS Arizona. Normally that spells disaster. It’s weird to say that Arizona has to salvage a game against the Pirates, but that is what has to happen today. We need to at least grab one game of the series before we play the Dodgers because it won’t get any easier. Day games during the week are pretty much my favorite thing and it would make it even sweeter if Arizona can snag a W.

Follow @venomstrikes on the Twitter (said like Steve Berthiaume) for news and updates

Justin Upton in Pinstripes? Probably not but this is me in the role of GM. Image: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE

Now that we are pretending to play general manager, here are three landing spots for Mr. Upton.

New York Yankees:  There is a potential opening in right field with Nick Swisher probably not back and perhaps Ichiro Suzuki as well.  Our cohort Joe F over at yanksgoyard proposed the Yanks get Upton for Catcher Gary Sanchez, 2B David Adams, SS Eduardo Nunez and RHP Brett Marshall.  It is a prety good deal when you consider that Sanchez is the Yanks’ #1 rated prospect according to mlb.com.  The problem is that the D’Backs are locked into Miguel Montero at catcher and Nunez, while an excellent hitter, is a butcher in the field.  A more realistic trade for Arizona would be Upton for starting pitcher Phil Hughes, lefty reliever Boone Logan and outfield prospect Tyler Austin.  Logan would be the lefty in the bullpen the team is seeking and Hughes would strengthen the rotation particularly if the team decides to start Tyler Skaggs and Trevor Bauer at Triple A Reno..  Austin is New York’s #3 rated prospect and can realistically start in right field in 2014.

Texas Rangers:  With super prospect Jurickson Profar making his MLB debut last season, rumors are swirling that the Rangers would be looking to deal shortstop Elvis Andrus. Right field seems to be locked up in Texas with Nelson Cruz but trading for Upton could be a hedge for the Rangers in case they lose Josh Hamilton.  Arizona’s primary every-day need is at shortstop and Andrus is still only 24 and signed through 2014.  A trade sending Upton to the Rangers for Andrus, outfielder Craig Gentry and lefty pitcher Martin Perez would fill needs for both teams.

Pittsburgh Pirates:  One does not normally associate the Bucs and the acquisition via trade of a big name player.  Pittsburgh could make an exception in this case for Upton as his contract calls for slightly less than $10 million this season before jumping over $14 million in 2014 and 2015.  An outfield combination of Upton in right and Andrew McCutchen in center would make for one fearsome duo.  The Pirates’ #3 rated prospect is shortstop Alen Hanson who is probably at least two seasons away but has the makings of a superstar. Recently added Cliff Pennington would have to hold down the fort for the D’Backs until Hanson is ready.  Also to be included for Arizona would be Garrett Jones who would be asked to return right field and left handed pitcher Justin Wilson, the Pirates’ #7 rated prospect in their system.

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @venomstrikes

Follow me on Twitter @ltj41 and at http://clearthebases.net