Arizona Diamondbacks: Heavy lumber leads to early results
The offensive potential of the Arizona Diamondbacks has great up-side.
What the Arizona Diamondbacks were able to do in the first week of the season is any indication, opponents could be in for long nights and exhausted bullpens.
After winning six of their initial seven games of the season, the Diamondbacks present an offense which is both scary and lethal. Since Day One of spring training, the offensive potential was there, but many believed the fate of this club rested with the arms of their pitchers. From the starting rotation through the bullpen and to the back-end closer, pitching would hold the key. Perhaps the biggest fear of manager Torey Lovullo was engaging 12-10 games, and whether the Diamondbacks would come out on the winning side.
By most early indications, the offensive will carry this club.
Through the opening week, the club has strung quality at-bats together, rose from clear deficients and delivered key hits. Coming into their first road game of the season Monday in San Francisco, the Diamondbacks lead the majors in runs scored with 48 and have the largest run differential, a plus 19, of any major-league club.
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At the same time, the 6-1 start matches a franchise record at the start of a season. That was established in the 2000 season. The 48 runs is a team record through a seven-game period, and that broke the previous mark of 46, also set in 2010. After sweeping the Cleveland Indians and winning two straight over the San Francisco Giants, the Diamondbacks head to the Bay Area with a five-game winning streak. That tied their best streak from last season and that was achieved three times.
For now, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt told Venom Strikes that players swinging hot bat are just doing their job.
Everyone talks about putting good at-bats together. Right now, things are going good, but they can go south in a hurry. If we’re going to be successful, this will take a total team effort. That includes the starters, the bullpen and everyone on the bench.
Like Cuba Gooding’s character Rod Tidwell said, “show me the money, Jerry.” From the first week, show me the numbers.
Second baseman Brandon Drury is off to a torrid .476 start. That’s 10-for-21 and good enough as third in the National League in batting average. He’s followed by Chris Owings (.360), Yasmany Tomas (.350) and Goldschmidt (.346). As a team, the Diamondbacks are hitting .313, and that is tops in the majors.
On the road
The Diamondbacks move out of Chase Field for their initial road trip of the season. First stop is San Francisco and that’s to help the Giants open their home schedule Monday afternoon.
Look for right-hander Taijuan Walker to start for Arizona and lefty Matt Moore gets the call for the Giants. On Tuesday night, it’s lefty Robbie Ray hooking up with righty Jeff Samardzija. In the series finale on Wednesday night, right-hander Shelby Miller opposes righty Matt Cain.
Arizona Diamondbacks: In early games, relievers impressing Lovullo
Then, it’s off to Los Angeles and four with the Dodgers. The trip ends in San Diego and three against the Padres. The Diamondbacks return to Chase Field on Friday April 21 and face the Dodgers.