The Diamondbacks compared favorably.
This post is different. It strives to show a few reasons for being optimistic that the Diamondbacks will win the next two games. It’s focus is on a Diamondbacks’ strength – their batting.
The Diamondback’s power batting was recently in an upward power trend per this AZ Snake Pit article.
Since the All-Star break, the Diamondbacks’ batters have the “second lowest whiff rate in baseball,” and they “obliterate fastballs in fastball counts,” per this FanGraphs article.
Let’s go a step further and compare the Diamondbacks with the Padres, and look at their statistical ranks compared to all teams in the Majors.
Let’s look at batting after the All-Star break (19 July to 27 September). Data for the comparison was from the Baseball Savant website. The comparison will focus on three tables.
Because the Diamondback pitching will rise to the challenge, and because of the batting comparison, perhaps after reading this post you will agree it is reasonable to anticipate the Diamondbacks will win the final two games against the Padres.
Batting Against All Pitches.
The Diamondbacks and Padres were both excellent. The Diamondbacks were better in Home Runs per Plate Appearance (HR/PA). For details see the following table.
19 July to 27 September. Data from baseball Savant.
Swinging At Pitches Outside The Strike Zone.
Although the Diamondbacks and the Padres had excellent whiff %’s and SLGs, the Diamondbacks chased significantly less pitches and the Diamondbacks had 50% more HR/PA.
Pitches outside the strike zone are in the Diamondbacks’ wheelhouse. Looking at all teams in the Majors, from 19 July to 27 September the Diamondbacks had the second lowest chase rate and the second lowest whiff % when chasing. Also, the Diamondback had the highest SLG when chasing pitches outside the strike zone.
For details see the following table.
19 July to 27 September. Data from Baseball Savant.
Fastballs When Ahead in the Count.
Although the Diamondbacks and the padres had excellent whiff %’s, the Diamondbacks had significantly better SLG and HR/PAs.
Hitting fastballs when ahead in the count is in the Diamondbacks wheelhouse. They ranked 5th best in HR/PAs and they ranked 7-8th best in SLG. And it’s a team effort because ten batters, when facing this situation, had SLG above the league average. The best three were:
- .900 SLG, Eugenio Suarez
- .786 SLG, Adrian Del Castillo
- .733 SLG, Pavin Smith
For details see the following table.
19 July to 27 September. Data from Baseball Savant,
Summary.
Diamondbacks’ batting is strong. It is one reason that the Diamondbacks have excellent chances to win the next two games against the Padres.