3 Biggest Takeaways for the Arizona Diamondbacks Following MLB Opening Week

Entering 2015, the Arizona Diamondbacks were not given much of a chance to compete in the National League West. 

Yet, the D-backs sit at 3-2 entering Sunday and just came off a 6-0 victory against arguably the best pitcher in the game in Clayton Kershaw.

A roster full of youth and inexperience, as well as the small sample size thus far, should prevent fans from being overly optimistic.

But general manager Dave Stewart and chief baseball officer Tony La Russa must be satisfied with the resilience of the young team through the first week.

Here are the three biggest takeaways from the Diamondbacks' first week of 2015.

The Bullpen Looks Much-Improved

Matt York/Associated Press

The D-backs' starting pitching was expected to be the team's biggest weakness in 2015. For that reason, it is vital that the bullpen perform at a high level.

Through the first week, the bullpen has been dominant. 

Entering Saturday, it had thrown 17.2 innings and only allowed two earned runs (1.02 ERA). In last night's win, the pen threw three more shutout innings, preserving the win. 

Andrew Chafin has been a key addition this season, logging 5.1 innings while allowing just one hit and zero runs.

Meanwhile, Addison Reed converted his first save Tuesday vs San Francisco and has yet to allow a run in two appearances. 

Considering the first four D-backs starters failed to pitch more than five innings, it can be argued that the bullpen has been the biggest key to the early success this season.

Paul Goldschmidt Is Primed for a Monster Season

Matt York/Associated Press

There was inevitably some concern for Paul Goldschmidt after coming off a fractured left hand suffered last season.

Those concerns will likely become obsolete after watching how comfortable "Goldy" looks in the box through the first week.

Through Saturday, the slugger is hitting .412 with two home runs and six RBI. More impressively, his most recent two-run shot came off Kershaw, knocking him out of the game. 

The 27-year-old is entering the prime of his career. And the time off due to his injury last season does not seem to have had any ill effects on his approach at the plate.

If Goldschmidt can remain healthy this season, he will have plenty of RBI opportunities, with A.J. Pollock and Ender Inciarte setting the table for him.

Keeping Archie Bradley Was the Right Decision

Matt York/Associated Press

After Trevor Cahill was traded to the Atlanta Braves, it opened up the final spot in the rotation. Archie Bradley won it.

Whom did he face in his MLB debut Saturday? Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Bradley responded by pitching six shutout innings, allowing only one hit and striking out six. The shutdown performance gave Bradley the first win of his career.

He was the first D-backs pitcher to make it into the 6th inning this season. However, he walked four batters and struggled at times with his command, throwing 112 pitches before being taken out.

Either way, Bradley clearly showed he has the potential to be the best starter in the rotation. Arizona will need him to pitch like he did Saturday if it is going to compete in the NL West.

Yes; it was only one start, but let the excitement begin.

All statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.