A lower ERA from pitchers contributed to the post-season run of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
If the Arizona Diamondbacks achieve close to their 2017 level of qualifying for post-season play this coming season, numbers need to be similar.
Whether outfielder J.D. Martinez, assuming he remains in Sedona Red which is questionable at best, can reach the strong numbers he put up over the second half of the season, remains a significant question. This also goes for strong RBI numbers from Paul Goldschmidt and Jake Lamb.
Ditto for the pitching staff, which finished second to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the lowest ERA in the National League. The Diamondbacks combined staff ERA of 3.66 was over one run per nine innings lower than the 5.09 posted the season before. That was the highest ERA of National League teams in 2016, but did not lead to the firing of Mike Butcher, the pitching coach.
Despite soaring numbers from the previous season, club officials assembled essentially the same cast, but with two significant additions. Mike Hazen, the GM, added right-handed starter Taijuan Walker from Seattle in the only major trade of the last off-season. Then, Hazen inked veteran Fernando Rodney as the closer, and the 40-year-old responded with a 39 save season. Only NL co-leaders Greg Holland (41) of the Rockies, and Kenley Jensen (41) of the Dodgers along with Corey Knebel (39) of the Brewers equaled or bettered Rodney.
More from Arizona Diamondbacks
- Can we expect late-season runs for the Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks?
- MLB rumors: Arizona Diamondbacks taking less aggressive approach at MLB trade deadline
- Trade deadline: NL West for sale, plus Dodgers, Giants, Diamondbacks wish list
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Are they a pretender or contender for the NL West and more?
- Mike Hazen’s impact on the Arizona Diamondbacks: An interim grade
For the regular season, three pitchers reached double figures in win, and that included staff-leading Zack Greinke (17), followed by Robbie Ray (15) and Patrick Corbin (14). Walker added nine victories and Zack Godley chipped in with eight victories. Throw in a stellar effort from Archie Bradley (1.73 ERA, 79 Ks in 73 innings) as one of the top set-up relievers in the majors, and starters going deeper into games than the previous season, added up to a substantial contribution toward post-season play.
Sources for both stronger numbers and the critical influence provided by pitchers in the team’s overall success, Butcher told Call to the Pen, were not difficult to decipher.
"“When you look back on the season, there were some major reasons,” he said before a recent charity event. “First, we picked up two veteran catchers, and they controlled the game with their experience. Really, Jeff Mathis and Chris Iannetta were big, and numbers point that out. Plus, a number of guys were kicked in the teeth the previous season, and learned from that experience. They grew, matured and developed. Then, the defense of our corner outfielders was better, and that lead to lower runs allowed.”"
Just after the Diamondbacks were eliminated from post-season play earlier last month, Hazen told Call to the Pen he would like to acquire another starter. That could be important because the Diamondbacks will not have Shelby Miller at the start of the 2018 season. In fact, the right-hander may not be ready until sometime during the season, if at all. That’s because Miller is coming of Tommy John surgey, and last pitched in a major-league game April 23 against the Dodgers in Chase Field.
As a rule, the Diamondbacks tend to be conservative with those recovering from surgery. At the same time, Miller told Call to the Pen late in the season he expects to be back in time for spring training.
At any rate, manager Torey Lovullo and Butcher do have Greinke currently under contract, and Hazen must sign Corbin, Ray, and Walker who are restricted free agents, during this off-season.
Closer than we think
The Diamondbacks announced their 2018 spring training schedule.
Arizona opens with its’ traditional college series and will play Arizona State University at Salt River on Wed, Feb. 21. The Cactus League season commences on Friday Feb. 23 at Salt River against the Colorado Rockies. Since the Diamondbacks and Rockies share the complex, the Diamondbacks will be the visiting team.
Overall, the Diamondbacks will play 34 spring games, and that’s includes 19 as the home team at Salt River and another three as the visiting team at the Scottsdale facility. The spring slate concludes with two games at Chase Field, March 26 and 27 against the Cleveland Indians.
The Diamondbacks open the 2018 season at home against the Rockies on Thursday March 29.