Comparing the Diamondbacks this year and last - Part 1: around the diamond

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY SportsWith nine games left to play, the Diamondbacks sit at 78-75. If they post a winning record over the rest of the schedule, six against the Padres and three against the Cardinals, they will surpass last year’s 82-80 record. Arizona would need to go 3-6 down the stretch to end with a lower winning percentage. It’s already at least somewhat in excess of most people’s pre-season expectations. When we polled people before the season, almost two-thirds (63%) predicted 79 wins or fewer in 2019.

That’s understandable. Over the winter, the D-backs had lost the best position player in franchise history, Paul Goldschmidt, as well as Patrick Corbin, A.J. Pollock and Mr.…