5 Reasons the Diamondbacks Make the Playoffs

At 68-53, the Arizona Diamondbacks have a two and a half game lead over the defending world champion San Francisco Giants.

After most analysts picked the Diamondbacks to finish near the bottom of the NL West, the team has been one of the great surprises of the 2011 season.

Behind the efforts of an MVP caliber player, this team is primed for a run in October.

Here are the five reasons why.

5. Winning at Home and on the Road

A lot of the playoff teams this year have struggled on the road.

For example, the Milwaukee Brewers. While the Brewers have a solid home record (45-15) this year, they are a dreadful 26-36 on the road.

With a 32-27 on the road, the Diamondbacks are an anywhere, anytime, any place kind of team. 

4. Schedule

The next 10 games will be a real test for Arizona. 

They start their next three series on the road against the Phillies, Braves, and then conclude the road trip in the nation’s capitol against the Nationals.

Wrapping up the season, the D-Backs get division competitors San Francisco at home for a series that will likely decide the division.

They then follow that with a home series against the Dodgers.

In their final 41 games, the Diamondbacks play the Padres an astounding 10 times. They should hope to get seven or eight wins from those.

3. The Giants Don’t Have Another Post Season in Them

With the Giants being the biggest competition for the Arizona Diamondbacks, it matters what kind of position their competition is in.

San Francisco has battled injuries all year and has had a bull’s eye on their back since November.

Has the pressure been a little too much for the defending world champs? Maybe. Either way, the Giants are cold and will miss out on the playoffs in 2011.

2. The Six Game Win Streak... and Counting

The Diamondbacks are hot. They’ve won six straight games, and seven of their last eight (not against the best competition albeit).

With their tough upcoming stretch, the Diamondbacks can prove they are for real. After being doubted for most of the season, fans are really starting to take this team seriously.

The Diamondbacks are for real. And they’re here to stay.

1. Justin Upton

This guy is having an MVP type season.

Why is this guy not being talked about all the time?

He is singlehandedly carrying this offense, leading the team in almost every batting category.

In 2011, Upton is averaging .306, has 25 home runs and a .564 slugging percentage.

This right fielder is the real deal.

And at 23 years young, he has a very bright future ahead of him.