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MLB Opening Day: 1 reason every team could win the World Series

By Matt Whitener

Mar 21, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) signs autographs prior to a game against the Houston Astros at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) signs autographs prior to a game against the Houston Astros at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) throws in the first inning during a spring training game against the Oakland Athletics at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) throws in the first inning during a spring training game against the Oakland Athletics at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

Arizona Diamondbacks: Keeping pace with the arms race

The D’Backs were much better than expected last season, and there is no reason to believe they cannot continue along that same pace this year. They have an everyday offering that has a diverse mixture of veteran presence, a dynamic all-around talent in A.J. Pollack, as well as a stockpile of maturing youth such as David Peralta, Yasmany Tomas and Jake Lamb….not to mention arguably the top overall hitter in the National League over the past three years in Paul Goldschmidt to build it all around.

But the clincher for the Diamondbacks is the fact that now they are aggressively investing in taking their pitching to the next level as well. Their landing of Zack Greinke was the most surprising move of the winter, while their aggressive acquisition of Shelby Miller from the Atlanta Braves was nearly just as shocking due to the price they paid. With this pairing joining leading the charge for the D’Backs off the mound, they have pitching to keep up with the top of any team’s rotation, as well as the offensive firepower to mix it up with anybody as well.

The path out of the National League will be complicated, but Dave Stewart and Tony LaRussa’s plan for success is paying out dividends in real time.

Next: Atlanta Braves

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