The Arizona Diamondbacks are in a funk this year. As of May 21, the defending National League West champions are 19-23 and are nine and a half games behind the first place Los Angeles Dodgers.
After their breakout performance last year, in which they gave the Milwaukee Brewers a run for their money in the first round of the playoffs, the Diamondbacks started off the 2012 season on everyone’s radar.
Baseball experts picked the Diamondbacks to get to the World Series this year and some even thought Arizona could win it.
In spite of last year’s results and this year’s promise, right fielder Justin Upton and the Diamondbacks have struggled.Upton seems to be pressing at the plate. His numbers aren’t where they should be this year.Upton is only batting .234 with four homeruns and 13 RBI through 38 games played.
One of the most alarming statistics is that Upton is batting .172 with runners in scoring position. If Arizona is going to get back to winning, they need their star to start producing like his old self.
With centerfielder Chris Young off of the disabled list and pitcher Daniel Hudson coming off soon, the Diamondbacks will surely start to play better baseball. Having Young back in the lineup will take pressure off of Justin Upton by providing a powerful bat in the lineup.
This Diamondbacks team is better than their record shows. Look for them to start capitalizing on chances and playing up to expectations.
