Today was supposed to be MLB's Opening Day.
Ordinarily, I'd just be complaining about Opening Day being on a random Thursday in late March but instead I'm complaining today because there is no Opening Day. At least not yet.
Despite this unexpected and unwelcome delay to the start of the season, I'm not going to let an offseason worth of hot takes just sit out in the open and get cold.
Without further ado, here are my three bold predictions for the Arizona Diamondbacks 2020 season whenever it happens.
1) Zac Gallen is the best pitcher on the staff
- The 24 year old right hander made eight starts for the Dbacks after being acquired from the Marlins. Over those 8 starts, he was 2-3 with a 2.89 ERA. His 10.9 K/9 would've ranked second to Robbie Ray in the rotation and third overall on the staff. With a rotation anchored at the top with Madison Bumgarner and Robbie Ray, I wouldn't say he'd be the ace of the team because that will likely be Madison Bumgarner's job unless he completely busts but Gallen should end the year as the most effective Dbacks starter.
2) Jake Lamb outperforms Christian Walker at First Base
- Jake Lamb has missed 194 games over the last two seasons and it feels like a lifetime ago when Lamb was the next big thing for the Dbacks organization. Meanwhile Christian Walker exceeded any and all expectations last year when he was basically 80% Paul Goldschmidt. But not every Dback play who broke out last year is going to follow that up with a similar performance in 2020. Walker seems like a good bet for a step back this season and Lamb, if healthy, can still punish RHP.
3) The Dbacks Lose to the Dodgers in the NLCS
- The Dbacks are a very good team. They have arguably the best depth in the rotation of any NL team, a dynamic lineup featuring speed and power and a retooled bullpen with a few additional power arms. Sure, Torey Lovullo will have to get better with his late game management but other than that this is also a really well led team. I have them getting a Wild Card berth, winning a WC game, winning a NLDS series before finally coming up short against an old nemesis in the Dodgers. If I told you right now this season would end in the post season against the Dodgers, would you still be excited to see it begin? Of course you would and once the games begin, thats exactly what I think happens.