There are some safe assumptions, such as the Diamondbacks’ defense will improve significantly. Making safe assumptions will not reveal whether the Diamondbacks are on-track.

More insightful are two assumptions with uncertainty that can be tracked during next season: • Pitching will improve. • Offense will continue near the record-breaking pace of 2024.

Tracking Pitching.

Obvious statistics like ERA lack the game-specific flavor that seems important to me.

In 2025, Torey Lovullo had great results with his bullpen in games with quality starts per this AZ Snake Pit article. My view is that he can do it again in 2026.

Let’s look at quality starts in the seven seasons when the Diamondbacks reached the playoffs, plus the last two seasons. From 1999 to 2017, when they reached the playoff

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