The Arizona Diamondbacks are off to the best start in baseball.
With a sweep of the defending American League champion Indians to close out their opening homestand, the Dbacks improve to 6-1, their best start since 2000. Here’s what we learned from Opening Weekend:
Offensive Fire
The Diamondbacks’ bats have been the driving force of their hot start.
Brandon Drury leads the team batting at .476. Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Lamb and David Peralta all have two home runs each, while AJ Pollock and Peralta are tied for doubles with three a piece.
Chris Owings has been a difference maker, coming up clutch on Opening Day with the walk-off hit and with a big home run on Sunday that gave the Dbacks some breathing room.
This dinger proved to be the difference. #OurSeason pic.twitter.com/eKEs17fTGw
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 9, 2017
Collectively, the team is batting at .331, the best average in the league.
Comebacks
Innings 4-6 have been the breakthrough points for the Diamondbacks seven games into the season. The Dbacks have now outscored opponents 33-11 in the middle innings. Sunday the bats got going in fourth when Owings, Lamb and Descalso all singled to help put the Dbacks up 2-0. Then in the sixth, Owings solo homer would be all that was needed.
With five straight wins and their best start in 17 years, manager Torey Lovullo made it clear after Sunday’s win that he is happy with his team’s resilience, but the success does not mean his guys can let off the gas.
“I’m really proud of these guys for that,” Lovullo said. “When we’re on the back fields in Spring Training and these guys are working their butts off trying to grasp some concepts and execute it, it translates on the playing field right before our eyes. They deserve this moment, this credit. But it’s not a time to get all soft and cozy. We’ve got to keep grinding away.”
On the Bump
The Diamondbacks 3.57 ERA is in the top 10 in the league. Thanks to a strong first outing Friday night by Shelby Miller and a solid outing from Zack Greinke on Saturday, the Diamondbacks had the series locked heading into Sunday.
Patrick Corbin came out strong in his second outing. Corbin notched the Diamondbacks second quality start. In his six innings pitched, Corbin allowed only four hits, no runs with two walks and three strikeouts.
“I didn’t want to be our second loss,” Corbin said. “So to sweep them…I mean they’re a very good team, we know how talented they are. To do that is pretty special.”
Impressive outing from @PatrickCorbin46 today. #OurSeason pic.twitter.com/oURxNgzNyg
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 9, 2017
In relief, Archie Bradley has been solid in his two appearances totaling eight strikeouts in his 5.1 innings pitched and allowing only four hits and no runs.
In the ninth inning on Sunday, the crowd got to their feet as closer Fernando Rodney came out to the bump to his electric walkup music. Rodney was credited with the save, his second of the season.
Sealing the deal. #OurSeason pic.twitter.com/0xmayClPB9
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 9, 2017
The Snakes have shown already this season, they won’t go down without a fight. This week will be another test to the Diamondbacks resiliency as they hit the road for the first time for another series with the Giants, Monday-Wednesday. Taijuan Walker, Robbie Ray and Shelby Miller are the probables for the series.
