Arizona went 32-20 in one-run games during the regular season, due in large measure to its shutdown bullpen.
The key figure is Jose Valverde, nicknamed “Papa Grande” (Big Daddy). Emotional on the mound, he celebrates each save as if it’s Game 7 of the World Series. Valverde’s 47 saves led all of baseball, though he did have seven blown saves.
The Rockies and Diamondbacks played a number of close games this season, so a big key for the Diamondbacks will be how Valverde handles the heart of the Rockies’ order. Todd Helton (4-for-4, one double) and Matt Holliday (2-for-4) both had success off the closer this season.
The ability of his starters to go deeper into games this season enabled manager Bob Melvin to set up a system in which right-handers Tony Peña and Brandon Lyon shared duties in the seventh and eighth inning before handing the ball over to Valverde. Juan Cruz, another righty, will get an early call if the starter falters.
