Diamondbacks face uphill battle in stacked NL West
The Arizona Diamondbacks are one of baseball's highest-scoring teams, but they're still struggling to keep up in their hypercompetitive division.
The big picture: The snakes are 15-13, tied for seventh-best in the National League, but they're in fourth place in the five-team NL West.
Arizona has the misfortune of being in the same division as the dominant Los Angeles Dodgers, who have gotten more stacked since winning the World Series last year.
They're tied for the division lead with the San Francisco Giants.
And the third-place San Diego Padres won their first seven games, the best season start in franchise history.
Zoom in: Like last season, the D-Backs' bats have been on fire.
They've got the fourth-most runs (150), RBI (146) and home runs (40) in Major League Baseball.
They scored 10 runs in a single inning against the Chicago Cubs this month, and third baseman Eugenio Suárez knocked four homers out of the park last weekend against the Atlanta Braves.
Suárez is tied for the most home runs in baseball (10), and D-Backs outfielder Corbin Carroll is tied for second-most with nine.
Yes, but: Despite the team's offensive heroics against the Cubs and Braves, Arizona lost both of those games.
Between the lines: Bullpen struggles have become a familiar story over the past few seasons, and 2025 is no different.
Closers Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk, along with reliever Kevin Ginkel, have faced health issues and injuries.
The top of Arizona's starting pitcher rotation hasn't fared well either. Ace Zac Gallen is 1-4 with a 5.57 ERA, and former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes, the team's big-time offseason acquisition, has yet to notch his first win of the season.
Who we're watching: Starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt has been a bright spot. His five wins are tied for the most in the majors, and he's sporting a 2.73 ERA.
The D-Backs appear interested in trading for St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.
Arizona doesn't look like a team that needs help scoring, but they'll get it when second baseman Ketel Marte returns soon from a hamstring injury.
What's next: The D-Backs got a day off Monday, but things won't be any easier for them Tuesday when they start a three-game series against the NL-leading New York Mets.
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