Fan Fuel: Surprising Diamondbacks lead the NL West

Patrick Corbin has emerged as one of the best young left-handed starters in all of baseball with his 11 wins and a 2.35 ERA. The Arizona Diamondbacks are 17-2 in games he starts, and one reason why they are in first.

BY CHRIS LACEY – FAN FUEL BLOGGER

As we head into the all-star break, the surprising Arizona Diamondbacks are in first place in the National League West Division. What’s most surprising about that is that they are the only team in the division that is over .500.

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Arizona is not without their flaws, as the bullpen has been very inconsistent and the starting rotation has just one reliable starter. Patrick Corbin and Paul Goldschmidt will both represent the team at this year’s All-Star game in Citi Field.

Corbin has emerged as one of the best young left-handed starters in all of baseball with his 11 wins and a 2.35 ERA. The club is 17-2 in games he starts, and one reason why they are in first.

The other reason is first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, he has been their main source of offense during the first half. He is hitting .313 and leads the NL in RBIs with 77, and is the most complete player on the team.

One highlight for the team is that they lead baseball with 21 one-run victories, 10 wins in extra-innings, and they are second with 26 come from behind wins.

The bullpen will have to improve in the second half, if they hope to make the playoffs.

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