The Best Starts From Each Diamondbacks Starter in 2021
With the unceasing nothing going on in the world of Major League Baseball, I felt it would be a great time to take a look at the best starts from the pitching staff we had in 2021. Many of these faces are still with the team, and I want to remember these guys at their best. I'll be looking at the guys I expect to be in our rotation.
Along with the player, date, and the opponent, I'll be showing off the key stats of that game, along with the game score. If you aren't familiar with game score, a quick-and-dirty metric that tells you how good a start was. A game score of 50 is average. Also, all of the starts picked here are just my opinion. Do you think some of these guys had better starts? Let me know!
With all that said, let's dive right in!
Tyler Gilbert vs. SDP, August 14th: 9 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 SO, 89 Game Score
If this isn't your pick for the best game of the 2021 season, I'm not sure what to tell you. I can tell you exactly where I was that day and my reaction to the end of that game. I was on the floor for a good five minutes. But enough about my collapse on a friend's floor, let's talk about this unbelievable start.
In a year of no-hitters, this one just felt different. Unlike the other eight no-hitters this past season, this one was from a rookie pitcher. Everyone else had plenty of experience under their belt, but not Tyler Gilbert. The other, historically significant part of his no-no was the fact that it came in his first career start! Shockingly, this wasn't the first time someone has pitched a no-no in their first start. There are three pitchers who did it before him, two of which happened in the 1800s. Bumpus Jones threw one in 1892, Ted Breitenstein had his in 1891, and Bobo Holloman threw one in 1953.
Sixty-eight years later, Arizona Diamondback Tyler Gilbert added his name to that list.
Next. Tyler Gilbert Throws No-Hitter!. dark
Madison Bumgarner vs. ATL, April 25: 7 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 7 SO, 84 Game Score
Oh yeah, there was another no-hitter* this year from the Diamondbacks. In a year where more teams than ever had a no-hitter, the Diamondbacks were lucky to have two*.
After a brutal start to the season where Madbum wasn't able to make it past the sixth, his fifth start was nearly perfect. Game two of the double-header was nothing short of magical. The only blemish on an otherwise perfect start was Ozzie Albies reaching on an error in the second due to a Nick Ahmed error. Outside of that, Madbum was flawless. I'd like to thank the shadows at Truist Park for helping us get such a magical game.
*Since this game was a scheduled 7-inning game, it doesn't actually count as a no-hitter, although it definitely felt like one.
Next. Why does Madison Bumgarner still belong with the Diamondbacks? . dark
Zac Gallen vs. ATL, April 25: 7 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 6 SO, 79 Game Score
You didn't think we were done with April 25th, did you? There was also an amazing start from Zac Gallen! This is like the Penny Lane to MadBum's Strawberry Fields Forever, a double A-side for the ages.
In another shutout win against the eventual World Series Champion Atlanta Braves, Zac Gallen spun an absolute gem. During that series, the Diamondbacks looked like a complete team. On that day, the Diamondbacks put up 12 runs across the 14 innings of play. For reference, during their torrid 13-game losing streak the following month, they didn't score 12 runs total until seven games into that streak.
The 2021 Diamondbacks were such a strange, streaky team.
Merrill Kelly vs. SFG, August 5: 8 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 4 SO, 78 Game Score
In my mind, this is the best start of Merrill Kelly's career. He was absolutely firing on all cylinders. It's on this list for a reason. But this start has the dubious distinction of the only one that ended in a loss.
Merrill was razor-sharp in this start and the hitting was better than average. Pavin Smith came in clutch to bring in three runs and rookie Jake Hager brought in the fourth. After the eighth, Merrill exited with a four-run lead. But in classic 2021 Diamondbacks fashion, the game changed direction after the ball was handed to the bullpen. Taylor Clarke gave up three runs without recording an out, Tyler Clippard gave up the tying run, and Tyler Gilbert would allow the go-ahead run to score. Regardless of the outcome, this was a start for the ages and definitely one of the best of the season.
Luke Weaver vs. CIN, April 11: 7 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 8 SO, 82 Game Score
There was something about the month of April that was good for Diamondbacks pitchers. Maybe it was the freshness of a new season and all the optimism and rest that comes with it. I can't tell you what it was exactly, but the Diamondbacks were simply built different that month.
Luke Weaver was injured for most of the season and struggled with pitch counts, but in this start, he was at his best. He threw 94 pitches, 63 of them for strikes. This was the highest game score he ever recorded in a start.
It's honestly a bit of a crapshoot who I put in this fifth slot, as I think all of the other pitchers I've mentioned here are shoo-ins for a rotation spot. I went with Luke Weaver here, but it definitely could have been Taylor Widener, Matt Peacock, or even Corbin Martin.
Next. What former Star KBO pitcher did the Diamondbacks just sign?. dark
Do you agree with my picks? Should I have talked about someone else? Be sure to let me know in the comments! You can also follow me on Twitter @xwOBAplus to get updates on whenever I put out an article!