Milwaukee and Arizona continue to Surprise Experts

The two most surprising teams in all of baseball are facing off in a 3 game interleague series that starts Monday. It’s appropriate that these teams meet on the 4th of July as they have both been winning this season with fireworks from their batting order. The Milwaukee Brewers have had a potent line-up for years as they boast one of the best 1-2 combinations in the game with Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder. Both players have been selected to start this years’ All-Star game for the National League, and as long as they are healthy they’ll continue to make their annual appearance amongst the best in the game. The Arizona Diamond Backs batting order has been depleted over the last few seasons, but apparently they players that they do have don’t pay much attention to what baseball experts say about them.

The D-Backs are sitting at 45-40 this year, and are just 3 games behind the defending World Series Champion San Francisco Giants for the top spot in the N.L. West. To the average fan, being only 5 games over .500 may not seem like anything to brag about, but considering this squad finished 32 games below .500 last year, this season has been miraculous.

Without a true Superstar on the roster, the Diamond Backs have managed to score the 7th highest number of runs up to this point in all of baseball. Justin Upton is considered an above average player, but he doesn’t carry the same respect as a Matt Holliday or Ryan Braun. He is having a phenomenal year thus far as he is batting around .300 with 22 doubles, 14 homeruns and 14 stolen bases. As well as Upton’s performing at the plate this year, it’s actually the real “no-names” that are propelling this team to a possible run at the division title. Stephen Drew has been around for 5 years, but he’s still mostly known as J.D.’s little brother. His 44 runs batted in have him on pace to have a career best, and are the second most on the team. Center fielder Chris Young leads the team with 46 RBI’s, 16 homeruns and 24 doubles. If these “no-names” can continue to hit the way they have through the first half of the season, they may end up losing their no-name status.

As powerful as the Milwaukee line-up is, they are actually 4 spots lower than Arizona is runs scored this season. MLB predictions had this Brewers team finishing around 3rd or 4th in the tough N.L. Central. However, a rejuvenated pitching staff that has received a boost from newly acquired starter Zack Greinke, are giving this line-up all the help they need. Greinke is coming off of a tough outing on Sunday, but he has been the consistent pitcher that this starting rotation has needed since the loss of C.C. Sabathia. He may not have the over-powering stuff that C.C. has, but his knowledge of setting up hitters, and the fact that he eats up innings every time out have given this over-worked bullpen the rest that they need.

Braun and Fielder are once again shredding National League pitching, and have combined for 37 homeruns and 131 runs batted in through 85 games. If the Milwaukee starters can continue to pump out quality starts, the Brewers have a very good chance at holding off St Louis and Cincinnati for the division title. Tune in Monday as the Brewers and Diamond Backs clash in what should be a competitive battle.

 

Related posts:

1. Carpenter will need another Playoff Gem against Milwaukee
2. St Louis sends Jackson to slow down Milwaukee
3. Sabathia faces Milwaukee Thursday Night
4. Milwaukee and Boston Battle in Interleague Play
5. MLB First half Surprise and Disappointment

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