Arizona Diamondbacks Weekly Review: 8/10-8/16

The Arizona Diamondbacks started another 1o game road trip last week taking 2 of 3 against the Phillies, and 1 of 3 in a closely contested series against the Braves.

The Arizona Diamondbacks began this past week with the goal of getting over .500 for the first time in four months.

Winning the first two games against the Phillies was a great start towards accomplishing that goal. Unfortunately, the D-backs couldn’t continue their consistent play in Atlanta.

In order to keep the positive vibes going, the Diamondbacks had to have played really well on the road this season. They are 27-30 away from Chase Field, good for the 6th best road record in the National League.

Week Record: 3-3

Winning Percentage: .500

Runs Scored: 43

Runs Allowed: 20

Game by Game Results:

Monday: Phillies 3 Diamondbacks 13

Tuesday: Phillies 1 Diamondbacks 13

Wednesday: Phillies 7  Diamondbacks 6

Thursday: Off Day

Series Recap vs. Phillies: Click Here

Friday: Diamondbacks 2  Braves 3

Saturday: Diamondbacks 8 Braves 4

Sunday: Diamondbacks 1  Braves 2

Series Recap vs. Braves: Click Here

Aug 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta (6) follows through on a swing during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Player of the Week: David Peralta

Week Totals: .474/.522/.842, 6 games, 23 PA, 2 HR’s, 10 RBI’s, .555 wOBA, 260 wRC+

Wrap this around your mind: When facing the Diamondbacks, opposing pitchers would rather face Paul Goldschmidt than David Peralta.

That’s right. The guy that is regularly regarded as one of the best players in baseball is getting pitched to more even in run scoring situations.

Peralta might be the best cleanup hitter in all of baseball, and the combo of Goldy/Peralta might be the best 3/4 combo in baseball.

There is a reason why the Diamondbacks lead the N.L. in runs scored this season despite being one game under .500.

In 52 games across 216 plate appearances this season in the cleanup spot, Peralta is hitting .339 with 8 HR’s, 43 RBI’s, and 12 doubles.

In high leverage situations he is hitting .343 with one HR and 17 RBI’s, and with men in scoring position, he is hitting .384 with two HR’s and 47 RBI’s.

He is clutch, and he is the reason why teams can’t walk Goldschmidt. Goldy has played his best baseball with Peralta behind him.

In 51 games with Goldy and Peralta in the 3rd and 4th holes respectively, Goldschmidt is hitting .307 with 27 RBI’s and a .927 OPS. Peralta is hitting .335 with 42 RBI’s and a .942 OPS.

Since June 23rd, Peralta has been one of the best hitters in baseball, and if last night’s game is any indication, he won’t stop producing.

Aug 16, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher

(12) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Starting Pitcher of the Week:

Jeremy Hellickson might have turned in the best start of the week last Tuesday against the Phillies allowing just one unearned run in eight innings, but by virtue of starting twice, and pitching really well, Rubby De La Rosa gets the nod as the starting pitcher of the week.

In two starts against Philadelphia on August 10th, and Atlanta on Sunday, De La Rosa was 1-0 (he should have been 2-0 if the D-backs offense could have figured out Shelby Miller), with a 2.77 ERA in 13.0 innings pitched with 6 strikeouts.

Now you might look at his stats, and say why in the world would he get the nod. I understand that his FIP over those 2 games was 4.34, and his ERA is a credit to the D’backs stellar infield defense, but De La Rosa is part of that.

His ground-ball rate is one of the best in the majors, and over those 2 starts he got opposing hitters on the ground 52.3% of the time.

He gave up plenty of hits (15), and walked five batters, but he got the ground ball when it mattered most and he had a 86.0 LOB%

It might not have been pretty, and it really never is with De La Rosa, but he gets the job done when it matters most, and he leads the D-backs in wins and innings pitched.

Aug 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Addison Reed (43) pitches during the ninth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks won 13-1. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Reliever of the Week:

I never thought I would say this, but Addison Reed is the Diamondbacks reliever of the week.

Its no secret that when Reed was in the closer’s role, he really struggled and he stressed fans out more than he actually got the job done.

As a result of a 5.92 ERA, Reed was demoted to Triple-A Reno. I never thought Reed would be successful at Chase Field, and so far I have been correct.

However, since coming back from Triple-A  at the end of July, he has really pitched well in the Snakes’ pen, providing hope for his future.

Reed pitched well when he was in the Minors with a 1.74 ERA in 11 appearances, and he has carried that over at the major league level.

One word can describe his performance: dominant. Since July 29th in 10.2 IP, he has allowed just 1 ER on 10 hits (0.84 ERA, 1.98 FIP), with 7.59 K/9, and 1.69 BB/9. He also hasn’t given up a home run.

In two appearances last week, he pitched three innings and gave up just two hits, and no runs.

He might not be the best fit in the closer’s role, but he has shown that he can still be a quality reliever.

Team Grades: 

Offense: A+

Starting Pitching: A-

Relief Pitching: C