Where will we finish?
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Arizona Diamondbacks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Last season saw the Dodgers win the NL West again, but there were times when their dominance seemed under threat. They were only two games up on the Padres after dropping the first game against San Diego on September 24, before reeling off five straight wins to end the regular season. Considering they were fourteen games ahead on the same date in 2023, and twenty-one up the previous year to that, last season was closer. However, of course the Dodgers have strengthened their team appreciably over the winter. Although the D-backs have made moves too – most obviously the surprise signing of Corbin Burnes – the expectation right now is another Los Angeles procession, PECOTA currently projecting them to win the NL West by sixteen games.
But where will the Diamondbacks finish? That’s the question to be answered in this poll. Personally, I can imagine credible scenarios for anywhere between second and fourth, depending on how things shake down. I would be astonished if Arizona were to win the division (as would PECOTA, giving us just a 3.4% of winning), but I’d probably be even more surprised – though “disturbed” is likely closer! – if we were to be worse than the Rockies over the year. The Padres finished four games ahead of the D-backs, but really haven’t done much this winter, apart from adding Nick Pivetta. Meanwhile, the Giants had a losing record, but added shortstop Willy Adames on a seven-year, $182 million contract.
So, where do you think? Here’s the poll, and show your working in the comments. I’ll post the results in a few days.