MLB's worst team in 2021 has major turnaround

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo. Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

MLB's worst team in 2021 now has NL's best record

By Gerrit Ritt | Last updated 6/2/23

Just two seasons ago, the Arizona Diamondbacks won 52 games. It tied them for the worst record in baseball and saw them finish an astounding 55 games behind the division-leading Giants.

On Thursday, after a two-run rally in the bottom of the ninth secured their MLB-best fifth straight win, those same D-backs now inexplicably own the best record in the National League.

Potential NL Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll gave his candidacy a big boost with this two-run walk-off single to beat the Rockies.

That's 5 straight wins and a share of 1st place for the @Dbacks thanks to @corbin_carroll's #walkoff. pic.twitter.com/drjQQCQG46
— MLB (@MLB) June 1, 2023

Vegas sportsbooks set the over/under win total for Arizona prior to the season at just 75.5, but they're currently on pace for 97. That would represent a 45-win improvement over two years, one of the best turnarounds in recent history.

But as of Thursday, they're now tied for the best record in the NL with the Los Angeles Dodgers, winners of nine of the last 10 NL West titles.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was positively giddy about Carroll and the rest of his team after Thursday night's comeback win.

“I’m going to think about this all night,” #Dbacks Manager Torey Lovullo on his team’s walkoff win pic.twitter.com/dWiYJDTPf0
— Mark McClune (@MarkMcClune) June 1, 2023

Staying on top won't be easy, though. After sweeping their four-game set with Colorado, the Diamondbacks now head into a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves, the current leaders of the NL East.

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