Arizona Diamondbacks: Five Takeaways from 11-2 Clobbering of Indians

6 of 6

Zack Greinke (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports) /

Great Greinke

Zack Greinke’s first start of 2017 was underwhelming, to say the least. With a ramped up crowd on Opening Day, the Diamondbacks ace lasted just five innings. He only surrendered two runs, but he was not pitch-efficient, throwing 90-plus pitches.

More from Venom Strikes

Greinke was much better on Saturday night. He threw 19 pitches in the first but threw a combined 19 pitches in the second and third innings. Greinke threw 20-plus pitches in the fourth and fifth, but 15-pitch sixth allowed him to pitch into the seventh inning, the first Diamondbacks starter to do that this season.

He recorded his first win and guided his team to a series win; that is what every team expects their ace to do. Greinke seemed to miss his spots a lot in 2016; some of that was on him and some of that was a result of poor pitch framing.

Greinke seemed to miss his spots a lot in 2016; some of that was on him and some of that was a result of poor pitch framing, but he threw plenty of strikes facing a dangerous Indians lineup. His strike percentage was above 60 percent in four of his six innings.

When he spot his changeup against lefties and his slider against righties, Greinke is one of the best starters in baseball. He had a lot of trouble at Chase Field last season, but his last eight home starts have been really good: 47.2 IP and a 2.54 ERA.

Next: Lovullo praises relievers early performance