As we get closer to the trade deadline, teams are assessing their weaknesses to get a sense of where they might need help to secure a playoff berth and go on a deep run in October. For now, let's focus on the other side of the coin for the National League teams and look at their strengths. What makes these contenders good in the first place and what players and factors can carry these teams to the postseason? I took a look at every NL team with at least a 10 percent shot at the playoffs, per FanGraphs' Playoff Odds plus the first-place Brewers and ranked the teams' respective strengths.
15. The speed of the Arizona Diamondbacks: What the D-backs may lack in hitting, they often make up for on the basepaths. They don't lead the league in steals with their 57 bags as they sit a handful behind Billy Hamilton's Reds and the Brewers, but nobody is better at taking the extra base on hits. Looking at going first-to-third on a single, first-to-home on a double and second-to-home on a single, Arizona gets that extra base 49 percent of the time, well above the league average of 40 percent. Only the Braves are higher at 50 percent, but the Diamondbacks also lead the league with just 13 outs made on the bases, four fewer than the second-best Braves.
Paul Goldschmidt leads the team with 13 steals, but four others have at least five, so speed isn't just coming from one dominant baserunner like the Reds with Hamilton. Eight Diamondbacks have been at least one run above average on the bases this season. Put all that together and Arizona has been more than 18 runs above average on the basepaths, first in the majors. In close games and close races, those extra bases can make a difference.