The Arizona Diamondbacks are one of the surprise teams of the 2011 MB season. They currently have a 58-49 record and that is good enough for second place in the National League West. Manger Kirk Gibson has this team playing well, even though they have just a 19-18 record against their four divisional opponents. That includes a 2-7 record against the first place San Francisco Giants. They did go 9-6 in interleague play, but Gibson and Bench Coach Alan Trammell only managed a 1-2 record against their former team the Detroit Tigers.
The D-Backs offense has scored 486 runs on 902 hits. The runs stat in third best in the NL, but the hits total ranks ninth best of the 16 NL clubs. The team batting average is .250 and that is also ninth best, but this is a relatively young team on the rise. D-Backs hitters have struck out 825 times, and drawn 335 free passes. That seems to indicate that their approach at the plate is sound, even though that strikeout total is a tad high. Only RF Justin Upton is hitting better than .300, but that indicates that the team has a whole is getting it done at the plate.
The Pitching staff has given up 464 runs on 933 hits. The staff ERA is 4.04 and that is just 12th best in their league. They did add Jason Marquis at the trade deadline, but his impact may not be as great as he does not have a very good second half track record. D-Backs pitchers have 717 hitters and issued 313 free passes. Both of those numbers are not where they need to be, and it seems pretty clear that this team needs some starting pitching help. The bullpen looks ok, but there have been some bumps in the road there as well.
Related Links:
• Arizona Diamondbacks news and notes •Joshua Lobdell.com
