MLB Playoffs 2011: Why You Shouldn't Dismiss the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks currently have the worst odds to win the World Series. While most of the nation continues to overlook them as a contender, I have one simple question:

Why?

When you have a starting rotation of Daniel Hudson, Ian Kennedy, Josh Collmenter and, if you want, Joe Saunders, you are a legitimate contender. These guys, while young and lacking playoff experience, are one of the most underrated staffs in the majors, let alone among playoff teams.

Ian Kennedy quietly won 21 games this season, but that wasn't just a product of good run support. He put together an ERA of 2.88 and was even better in the last month of the season, posting a 2.08 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 37 strikeouts in 34 innings.

Throw in Hudson and Collmenter, who both have ERA's under 3.50, and you have a terrific young 1-2-3-punch that will keep you in any game.

The D-Backs don't falter as games get late, either.

Between David Hernandez, Joe Paterson and Brad Ziegler they have three dominant arms that can get them through the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.

Then you have veteran closer J.J Putz who has been one of the most consistent finishers in the majors this year. In 60 games, Putz has a 2.17 ERA, 45 saves and 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings. His splitter can be nearly unhittable at times. 

Arizona's lineup surprisingly might just be the biggest question mark, but even there they have a lot of talent.

Justin Upton is the obvious star in the middle of the order. He's hitting .289 with 31 homers, but it goes much deeper than that.

Miguel Montero might quietly have had the best hitting season for a catcher this year with 18 home runs and 86 RBI. Aaron Hill has turned his season around since coming to Arizona, hitting .315 with a .492 slugging percentage. Rookie Paul Goldschmidt provides some nice power, and Ryan Roberts has had an overall good year. 

The Diamondbacks don't have the most recognizable names on their roster, but they have the right mix of studs and role players who know what their part in the team is. 

They are a little reminiscent of the San Francisco Giants squad that won the World Series last year. The same squad, oddly enough, that the Diamondbacks ran over to win the NL West.

Could that have been a passing of the torch?

Don't sleep on the D-Backs this year. But then again, they probably want you to do that. They've been surprising people all year, and they'd love to keep it up.