Few MLB teams have hit the ground running this season quite like the Arizona Diamondbacks, who are a half-game up in the NL West and in solid shape to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
Despite a projected win total of 75.5 at most AZ sportsbooks, the D’backs currently hold a playoff spot and are on pace to win 89 games. BetArizona decided to take a look back at every team with a projected win total under .500 to reach the playoffs since the MLB expanded to two wild cards in 2012, and how they fared.
We utilized records from MLB.com and the preseason win total from SportsOddsHistory.com.
One detail to note: We did not include data from 2020 due to the shortened season and expanded playoff format. Keep it here at BetArizona for more research items such as this, plus all news around Arizona betting apps.
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| Year | Team | Projected Wins | Final Record | Playoff Result |
|---|
| 2012 | Baltimore Orioles | 69 |
93-69 | Lost in ALDS |
| 2012 | Oakland A's | 72 |
94-68 | Lost in ALDS |
| 2017 | Minnesota Twins | 74.5 |
85-77 | Lost AL Wild Card Game |
| 2018 | Atlanta Braves | 75 |
90-72 | Lost in NLDS |
| 2015 | Texas Rangers | 75.5 |
88-74 | Lost in ALDS |
| 2018 | Oakland A's | 75.5 | 97-65 | Lost in AL Wild Card Game |
| 2021 | SF Giants | 75.5 | 107-55 | Lost in NLDS |
| 2015 | Houston Astros | 76.5 | 86-76 | Lost in ALDS |
| 2013 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 77 |
94-68 | Lost in NLDS |
| 2013 | Cleveland Indians | 77.5 |
92-70 | Lost AL Wild Card Game |
| 2017 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 77.5 |
93-69 | Lost in NLDS |
| 2016 | Baltimore Orioles | 79.5 |
89-73 | Lost in A Wild Card Game |
| 2015 | KC Royals | 80.5 | 95-67 | Won World Series |
| 2017 | Colorado Rockies | 80.5 | 87-75 | Lost NL Wild Card Game |
| 2021 | Boston Red Sox | 80.5 | 92-70 | Lost in ALCS |
| Totals | | | | 5 Lost in Wild Card Game; 8 Lost in Divisional Series; 1 Lost in Championship Series; 1 Won World Series |
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Where 2023 D-Backs Rank Among Recent MLB Surprise Stories
The D’backs’ current +13.5 on their preseason win total would slot the club in as 14th biggest overachiever of the last decade, sandwiched between the 2017 Rockies (+16.5) and the 2021 Red Sox (+10.5).
The overall leader in the surprising teams standings since 2012 is the 2012 Orioles, who finished with a record of 93-69 after having a preseason win total of 69 — netting the O’s a +24 finish overall.
Other notable MLB Cinderella stories were the 2021 Giants (+31.5 from their preseason win total), the 2012 A’s (+22) and the 2018 A’s (+21.5) — giving Arizona something to aim for as the second half of the MLB regular season unfolds. Before you place action on the D'backs, check here for Arizona sportsbook promos.
One reason for the D’backs’ 2023 success so far has been the performance of their hitters under longtime manager Torrey Lovullo, with superstar rookie Corbin Carroll leading the team in WAR production (3.6) and Arizona ranking sixth overall in runs scored (437) and slugging percentage (.430) this year.
One thing that the D’backs will have to keep an eye on down the stretch is the team’s loaded schedule, with the sports outlet Tankathon giving Arizona the 10th hardest strength of schedule in the league — at .506.
If Carroll can return quickly from the shoulder injury he suffered during Thursday night’s 9-0 rout at the hands of the Mets and the team can continue its winning ways, then the D’backs are primed to make some history this fall.
Until then, at least Lovullo and company can enter the All-Star break knowing they’ve positioned themselves to be one of the biggest surprises in the Majors in 2023 across Arizona MLB betting sites.
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