2 DIAMONDBACKS
O/U WINS: 31 KEY PLAYER: Ketel Marte (right). The infielder/outfielder had a career year in 2019 and made the All-Star team. Arizona is looking for Marte, 26, to be a key part of a lineup that has been boosted with the addition of Starling Marte — no relation — from the Pirates.
PLAYER WHO’LL NEED TO STEP UP: Madison Bumgarner .One of the most clutch pitchers of his generation, Bumgarner is coming off a solid, but not spectacular final season with the Giants. Perhaps a change of scenery — and the potential of pitching for a contender again — will rejuvenate Bumgarner, who finished with the highest ERA (3.90) of his career a year ago. He’ll turn 31 in August, but has championship pedigree.
NAME YOU’LL GET TO KNOW: Kevin Ginkel. The right-hander allowed just four earned runs in 24 ¹/₃ innings as a rookie and should get plenty of opportunities this season setting up Archie Bradley.
BIGGEST QUESTION MARK: The Diamondbacks have solid starters in Bumbarner and Robbie Ray, but the bullpen has been shaky. Can the additions of Junior Guerra and Hector Rondon help?
HOW IT’LL GO DOWN: Arizona traded Paul Goldschmidt to St. Louis prior to last season and then shipped Zack Greinke to Houston last July, yet have been able to remain competitive. Though the Dodgers are the clear favorite in the division, the addition of Bumgarner to the rotation and Starling Marte and Kole Calhoun to the outfield makes Arizona a threat to get to the playoffs. And that’s especially true if Ketel Marte and Eduardo Escobar (35 homers) build on what they did a year ago.