With the season winding down, the Diamondbacks have scored nearly 70 more runs than any other team in baseball. You'd best take a moment to appreciate it.

-Jesse Friedman

The 2024 Diamondbacks are the best offensive team in franchise history

Over the past couple of years, the Diamondbacks built a reputation as a small-ball team. They stole bases. They laid down bunts. They created chaos.

But in 2024, the narrative of the Diamondbacks' offense has shifted. Yes, the team still leads the league in sacrifice hits, but that is no longer its defining attribute. Entering play on Thursday, the Diamondbacks ranked first in Major League Baseball in OPS, second in hits, fourth in home runs, second in triples and fifth in walks. Simply put, this team rakes.

With their 14-run outburst against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, the Diamondbacks further cemented their status as the highest-scoring team in baseball. They have scored 802 runs in 2024. Entering Thursday, the next-highest run total in baseball belonged to the New York Yankees at 734.

"When you're talking about leading the league in runs," manager Torey Lovullo said after Wednesday's game, "there's a lot that goes into that. I believed in our hitters. I believed in our ability to execute the plans each and every day,

"But at the pace in which we're doing it ... I love that consistency. I think we are that type of team."

With 16 games left on the regular season schedule, the Diamondbacks have a team OPS+ of 115 (100 is league average), which is far and away the highest mark in franchise history.

The second-highest OPS+ ever by a Diamondbacks team is 101, which was set in 1999. That offense was led by Luis Gonzalez (138 OPS+), Jay Bell (131), Matt Williams (118) and Steve Finley (113).

Granted, the 1999 Diamondbacks did not have the benefit of the designated hitter; the aforementioned 101 OPS+ definitely undersells their production. But even if we control for the impact of having a starting pitcher in the lineup every night, the 2024 Diamondbacks still significantly outperformed their 1999 counterparts.

On Wednesday, the Diamondbacks had 13 extra-base hits, tying a franchise record set back on May 17, 2014 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Third baseman Eugenio Suárez went 4-for-4 in the game with two homers and a double.

Suárez's OPS has gone from an abysmal .591 on July 1 all the way to .808. He is now hitting .256 with 28 homers and 92 RBI. He is on pace for a 30-100 season.

"The numbers that Geno is going to end up with at the end of the season compared to what he did the first three months is insane," Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly said.

PHNX Diamondbacks @PHNX_Dbacks Eugenio Suárez on his last 2+ months at the plate: “I think this is the best stretch that I have in my career.” 6:21 PM • Sep 11, 2024 26 Retweets 537 Likes Read 3 replies

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Also at the center of Wednesday's slugfest was star second baseman Ketel Marte, who entered the game no hits and five strikeouts in his first three games off the injured list. Marte went 3-for-4 on Wednesday with a homer and a double.

With outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and catcher Gabriel Moreno expected back from the injured list before the end of the regular season, the Diamondbacks' offense might only get better from here.

On paper, they could assemble a postseason roster in which every hitter not named Kevin Newman has an OPS+ over 100. And even Newman has been a solid contributor at the plate this year, with a .282/.316/.382 line (94 OPS+).

"Something special is happening here from an offensive standpoint," Lovullo said. "I want it to keep going."

TRENDING NOW

3 questions that will define Diamondbacks' final three weeks These questions from earlier this week will go a long way in determining how far the D-backs go this year. Read article

Postgame show: Diamondbacks sweep Rangers but Merrill Kelly exits early We discussed an impressive D-backs sweep and Merrill Kelly leaving another start early due to cramps. Watch show

5 reasons the Suns will be better in 2024-25 Maybe the Big 3 will actually live up to the hype this year? Gerald Bourguet outlines why brighter days are ahead. Read article

Analyzing Marvin Harrison Jr.'s quiet debut Why did highly touted wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. get all of three targets on Sunday? Read article

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

"At this point, it's just kind of the beating-your-head-against-the-wall type feeling. We've obviously tried all kinds of things. And for that to be popping up again is obviously just frustrating."   Merrill Kelly on leaving another start early due to cramps GEAR UP ​