NLDS Schedule 2011: Arizona Diamondbacks are Paper Tigers in Playoffs

The Arizona Diamondbacks were one of the better stories of the 2011 MLB regular season. You will get no argument from me there.

Coming into the season, few would have guessed that they would finish atop the National League West.

The Giants were the defending World Series champions, the Rockies seemed like a far superior team and the Padres had made a surprise run to contend for the division title last season. They were staring third or fourth place in the face.

They came into the season knowing they were good enough to be successful and they just kept on winning.

It would be fun if they continued their magical run all the way to the World Series, but that's just not in the cards.

They are going to face some tough pitching in the postseason against the Milwaukee Brewers. Yovani Gallardo and Zach Greinke both have ace-type stuff. Their bullpen is even better, led by John Axford, Francisco Rodriguez and LaTroy Hawkins.

The Diamondbacks just don't have the offensive firepower to keep them in games against those types of arms.

As a team, they are only hitting .250 and Justin Upton is the only guy in that lineup that will scare opposing pitching. Upton hit .289 with 31 home runs on the season, but he is not good enough to carry the offense on his own.

If the Brewers pitch around Upton or find a way to get him out consistently, Arizona doesn't stand a chance to compete.

The stretched out postseason schedule means pitching depth isn't as important as top-end talent, but the Diamondbacks don't have enough of either.

Ian Kennedy is as good or better than anyone the Brewers have, but the D-Backs don't have much behind him.

You can't expect pitchers like Daniel Hudson or Joe Saunders to be able to shut down a Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder-led offense.

The Diamondbacks' season has already been special. They have accomplished more than anyone outside their clubhouse would have thought. It's a shame that it won't continue on for much longer.