D-Backs

But it turns out that in the NL this year, having one foot in is more than enough – and in the Diamondbacks’ case, it’s enough to blow away the opposition. The league is both top-heavy and bottom-heavy, but it lacks a middle class, and the Diamondbacks have feasted on that inequality.

The Dodgers and the Nationals are clear contenders. Most also view the Cubs as such, despite their record. But this year’s NL features about as many rebuilding clubs as those trying to win. Add in underachievers like the Giants, Mets and Cardinals, and the league set up perfectly for teams like the Diamondbacks and the Rockies, who, by virtue of not tearing down, were well-positioned to excel.

By no means are the Diamondbacks solely a product of their competition. They have not played poorly against contending teams – they’re 16-13 against clubs that are .500 or better – but the bulk of their wins have come against the bad ones; their win on Monday made them 33-15 against teams with losing records.

The Phillies looked every bit like a bad team over the past four days, just as they did when the Diamondbacks swept them earlier this month in Philadelphia. On Monday, their starting pitcher, Nick Pivetta, issued five walks in a 12-batter span, including back-to-back walks to catcher Jeff Mathis