I’m so old, I remember when the Braves SB Nation site was called “Talking Chop”…
Over the past six games, the D-backs offense, which had largely been carrying the team, has fallen sharply back. They’ve been hitting below the Uecker Line in the past week, hitting just .197, with a .642 OPS collectively. That first figure ranks 28th in the league over that time, with the second only slightly better, at 25th. The overall run production of 22, is a little higher – equal 20th. The pitching hasn’t been bad: a 3.72 ERA, right in the middle of the pack, and with more than three times as many strikeouts as walks. But the team has allowed seven unearned runs: only the Mariners (8) have handed more free gifts to the opposition, showing how the D-backs defense has been a problem this year.
We are beginning to get the point where defensive metrics are beginning to become telling. Arizona is currently on pace for 106 errors, which would be a whopping FORTY-FOUR more than last season. I noted earlier today how Eugenio Suarez has already reached half his tally for all of 2024, in less than one-sixth of the schedule. Some of the advanced metrics also say the D-backs have taken a step back. DRS currently ranks the D-backs 23rd (they were 17th last year). However, Def says the team have actually got better, improving from eighth to fifth. I’m not sure that this exactly passes the eye test, but Statcast’s Outs Above Average has the D-backs second-best in the majors at +33.
I guess it’s a case where you pay your money, and you take your choice of metrics. But one thing is certain. Lackluster performances like last night, deficient in just about every aspect of the game, aren’t going to do it. One possible sign of hope. The D-backs’ BABIP is only .263, which is 24 points below the league average. Yet despite this, the team is one of only six to have reached 100 runs, going into play today. The teams who have scored more runs, have BABIPs ranging from .297, all the way up to .352 (Cincinnati). For comparison, the Dodgers also have a .263 BABIP, plus the same number of HR, and have scored 25 runs fewer than the D-backs. Hope some of this balls in play start turning into hits tonight.