Arizona Diamondbacks: Zack Greinke regaining top form

The Arizona Diamondbacks hope the production of Zack Greinke will have a residual effect throughout the pitching staff.

Should the Arizona Diamondbacks qualify for postseason play, pitcher Zack Greinke will have had great input. Rebounding from a marginal season a year ago, Greinke has retained both his form and execution to resume a position among the elite of the game.

While Greinke continues to put up big numbers and quietly strives for another strong season, Arizona hopes his effort and production can act as a catalyst for the remainder of the rotation.

As the Diamondbacks head into the final six weeks of the season, and their postseason ambitions remain dangling, Greinke’s supporting cast presents a curious case for complement. Zack Godley, with a 5-5 mark and a 2.95 ERA coming into his start Friday night against the Minnesota Twins, should provide several quality starts down the stretch. The resurgence of Patrick Corbin in his last two starts is encouraging, but Corbin needs to show a consistent pattern over his remaining outings.

Still, Greinke’s influence over this team remains telling.

While his method of preparation continues as highly individual and distinct, there is no denial of his value. With a record of 14-5 and a 3.01 ERA (fourth-best ERA the NL) heading into his next start on Saturday against the Twins, Greinke has been especially effective at home. He is 11-1 with an ERA just over two runs at Chase Field. His 11 victories at home are the most in the majors among starters, and he was the first to win 10 straight decisions at home since he did that with the Brewers to start the 2011 season.

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Greinke’s sharp control is the principal reason behind his resurgence. He has the ability place secondary pitches with precision, and that sets up hitters with an imposing fastball. Though his velocity remains between 90 and 92 on the heater, it’s his ability to throw four pitchers for strikes which keeps hitters off balance. That’s the assessment of catcher Jeff Mathis, who has caught Greinke this season.

During the Diamondbacks’ recent home stand, Mathis told Call to Pen why Greinke has been so productive.

"“He has been very consistent with his slider and curve,” he said. “The strikeouts are there because he is able to set up hitters and take advantage of being ahead in the count.”"

While Greinke continues to rack up wins, he is doing so with an increased number of strikeouts. Coming into this season, Greinke averaged just below one strikeout per inning. Over 13 previous seasons in the majors, Greinke recorded 2,071 Ks in 2,253.1 innings. For this season, his 174 strikeouts in 155.2 innings is clearly above his career average. The 174 strikeouts are currently second in the NL behind the Nationals’  Max Scherzer.

In this regard, Greinke told Call to the Pen after his last start against Houston at home on August 14 that strikeouts are far from his mind.

"“I don’t look to strike out hitters,” he said. “If I try for strikeouts, that will elevate my pitch count, and that’s something I don’t want to do. Yes, I’m a little surprised by the number of strikeouts. At the same time, I’m using all four of my pitches.”"

If Greinke is putting up significant numbers, he has emerged as the Diamondbacks’ “stopper.” In games following a loss, Greinke is 8-1, and that included a personal eight-game winning streak dating back to April 24.

All of which has impressed fans and humbled Torey Lovullo, his current manager. In pointing out Greinke’s value, Lovullo told Call to the Pen what many postulate.

"“(Greinke’s) preparation is just amazing,” he said. “Zack is a great student of the game, and digests a tremendous amount of information. He is constantly looking at video and finding ways to beat every hitter. I would love to see him as an NFL quarterback because he would pick apart every defense.”"

Next: Lessons learned from D-Backs' homestand

For now, Greinke is on track for a 20-win season. If that is accomplished, this would be his first such achievement. Greinke won as many as 19 one other time (19-3, 1.66 ERA) and that was during his celebrated 2015 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.