National League Divison Series Prediction: Arizona Diamondbacks Will Advance

The Diamondbacks will face a Milwaukee Brewers team tomorrow that many expect them to lose to.  However, look beyond the star power that the Brewers have with Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, and the teams are more closely matched than many give them credit for.

The core of any team is its starting pitching. The Brewers feature a very capable top of the rotation with Yovani Gallardo, Shaun Marcum, and Zack Greinke, who’s ERAs are 3.52, 3.54, and 3.83 respectively.

The Diamondbacks counter with their top three of Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, and Joe Saunders having 2.88, 3.49, and 3.69 ERAs.

When looking at the entire starting rotation, the Brewers have combined 3.78 ERA, just slightly better than the Diamondbacks' team 3.84 ERA.

The men from the bullpen are comparable as well, with Milwaukee relievers having a season 3.32 ERA to the Diamondbacks' 3.71.

Meanwhile, both teams feature one of the National League’s best closers. Arizona's JJ Putz brings his 2.17 ERA and 45 saves against Kohn Axford's 1.95 ERA and 46 saves for the Brew Crew.

Eighth inning, same story.  David Hernandez and Francisco Rodriguez have respectively been fantastic.

Offensively the teams match up as well.  The Diamondbacks have a total of 731 runs scored on the season, while the Brewers have 721, with the Brewers’ OBP of .325 nearly identical to the Diamondbacks .322.

Line by line, when compared the two teams are strikingly similar.

The difference in this series will likely come from them men in the dugout, not on the field.

The Diamondbacks’ coaching staff has played in a combined ten World Series, compared to the Brewers' coaching staff’s two.

Kirk Gibson and his literal All-Star coaching staff have been the driving force in this team all season long.

It is because of the real life post season experience of the Diamondbacks’ coaches and what they have been able to accomplish this season that I believe the Diamondbacks will win this series and advance to the National League Championship.