The MLB 2013 season has begun with surprises, but none bigger than the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies leading the N.L. West and tying for the best record in baseball following Opening Week. Along with the Atlanta Braves, the D'Backs and Rockies are 5-1 and leading the rest of baseball with the best starts of the season. Here's how they did it.
The Diamondbacks are a good young team that charged out of the gates after taking two of three against the St. Louis Cardinals in their home opening series and then sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers, who were without sluggers, Aramis Ramirez and Ryan Braun.
Whenever their pitching has betrayed them, the Diamondbacks have been able to slug the opposition away. They scored 17 runs against the Cardinals and then put up 20 against the Brew Crew. They are fourth in runs scored, third in hitting with a .293 batting average and are tied with the Rockies for the most hits in the league, 71.
For the Rockies, offense has been just as vital. After losing their first game of the season to the aforementioned Brewers, the Rockies won five straight games. Unlike the Diamondbacks, they're doing it with both offense and pitching. Coming into this game, their pitching hasn't allowed more than five runs per game ranking them fifth in the majors with a 2.80 ERA.
Their offense is one of the best posting a .333 batting average, first in baseball. They are also first in baseball in the following categories: home runs (13), RBI (38), Runs (39) and OBP (.377).
The Diamondbacks are more of a threat to compete in the N.L. West, but both teams have great young players that all seem to be on the same page and clicking well at the beginning of the season. This division will either belong to the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers are the heavy favorite after loading up their roster and spending millions of dollars to acquire pitchers like Hyun-Jin Ryu and Zack Greinke. The Giants are the defending World Series champions, so they will always be considered the team to beat out west.
Next up, the Diamondbacks have a chance to continue solidifying their case as a true N.L. West contender as they face the Pittsburgh Pirates in three games. The Rockis will travel to San Franciso to take on the Giants in a three-game series.