Arizona Diamondbacks: Seeking to play stellar at home

Reasons allude the Arizona Diamondbacks for playing well at home and marginally on the road.

A mystery continues to evelope the Arizona Diamondbacks. Here’s a team with one of the best home records in the majors and now, in early June, appear to be a contender for National League West honors.

While this team brings dynamite to each home game, their struggles away from Chase Field are troubling. Coming into Tuesday’s home game with the San Diego Padres, the Diamondbacks are 21-8 at home, and represents the second-best home record in the majors. They are tied with the New York Yankees for fewest home losses, eight, and their eight defeats in the desert is one fewer than the Los Angeles Dodgers, the nearest NL team in home defeats.

More from Diamondbacks News

• What is the Rule 5 Draft? How does it impact Diamondbacks?
• Former Diamondbacks SP Robbie Ray wins AL CY Young!
• Bannister the bench coach, yet another great hire by the Diamondbacks
• The king of Chase Field should be signed by the Diamondbacks
• The Goat has come to the Diamondbacks to save the day

On the road, Arizona is 13-17, but has a plus run differential of 49, fifth best in major league baseball. As the Diamondbacks prepare for a six-game home against the Padres, and NL Central division-leading Milwaukee Brewers, the malady of winning at home and marginally on the road remains mystifying. Before Tuesday’s game, Chris Owings, coming into play hitting .296, told Venom Strikes he has little explanation and can’t explain the dichotomy.

It’s the thing the media raised last year. Last year, we played well on the road and not very good at home. Now, it’s the opposite and to be honest, I don’t have an explanation. I do like the way we play the game. Regardless of winning or losing, we play hard and never quit.

The friendly confines of Chase Field offer a soothing comfort level. While the team leads the majors with a team batting of .295 at home, the task ahead to continue. According to San Diego manager Andy Green, that should not be much of issue. Before Tuesday’s game, Green told Venom Strikes about the dangers of facing the Diamondbacks.

That’s as potent an offense as any. They are right up there with the top offenses in the league. Plus, their running game is dangerous. Dave McKay, I think, is the best first base coach in baseball and he controls the running game.

So far, numbers put up by the Diamondbacks are scary.

Regarding production at home, Arizona leads the majors in runs scored in Chase Field, they lead in rune per game, leads in home runs, leads in total bases at home and top the NL is slugging percentage at home.

Roster moves

Prior to Tuesday’s game, the Diamondbacks placed outfielder Yasmany Tomas on the 10-day disabled list. Tomas is hampered by right groin tendinitis and this move is retroactive to June 3.

Elsewhere, the Diamondbacks optioned right-hander Braden Shipley to Triple-A Reno and recalled righty Zack Godley and outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Road trip not productive, team remains positive

With Godley back with Arizona, manager Torey Lovullo indicated Godley will start Saturday at home against Milwaukee. At the same time, Lovullo said righty Randall Delgado remains in the rotation.