Arizona Diamondbacks Still Have Some Fun Baseball Left

In case you haven’t heard, football is back. I know it is very tempting in places like Phoenix to turn away from a non-playoff bound baseball squad to a hopeful NFL team. However, I would argue that there is still plenty of good baseball to see with the Arizona Diamondbacks. There are 21 games left in the 2012 season so I would say to D-Back fans, enjoy it while you can.  What better way to start the beginning of the end of baseball by delivering the knockout blow to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ chances of winning the National League West?

August 1, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Paul Goldschmidt singles in the D-Backs’ 4-0 win in Los Angeles. Arizona is 10-6 vs the Dodgers in 2012. Image: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

Listen, how great would it feel knowing the D-Backs were the team that put a serious dent in LA’s playoff push?  The Dodger$, the team that absorbed contracts the equivalent of the GDP of a small country, may have had their season derailed in large part by Arizona.  As a long-time Yankees fan, I know I like the sound of that.  After all, Los Angeles inflicted one of my early pains in sports by defeating New York in the 1981 World Series.  The viewing should not end with the Dodgers, either.  Much like the Mets,  there are pitchers that D-Back fans should watch closely.  Wade Miley has a great chance at being the NL Rookie of the Year.  He probably has at least three starts remaining.   Arizona has never had a Rookie of the Year award winner.  There is also the continued development of Tyler Skaggs.  Although only 21 and with less than five Major League starts, Skaggs pitches as though he has been in the Bigs for at least five years.   The possibility of seeing Trevor Bauer one last time is interesting for sure.  We will see if he has learned anything from his first go around.

It is sad that there will be no October baseball in 2012 for the Arizona Diamondbacks.  As tempting as it is to ditch baseball for football, we have invested a lot into the team even if things did not go as planned.  Take comfort in the fact that Dodger fans may very well be on the outside looking in this postseason.  Also, watch the youngsters work and dream about brighter days ahead.

Like us on Facebook, follow u son Twitter @venomstrikes

Follow me on Twitter @ltj41