Arizona Diamondbacks continue to defy expectations at halfway point: By the Numbers
Jul 6, 2015, 12:09 PM | Updated: 2:13 pm
As we pass the halfway point in the MLB season the Arizona Diamondbacks have been one of the major surprises despite a sub-.500 record.
With the worst record in baseball last season the D-backs were picked by many to repeat their last place finish.
The D-backs are on pace to finish far better than that prediction with a record of 40-42 one game beyond the halfway point.
Their high-powered offense has led them to this point, proving to be much more than a heavy reliance on Paul Goldschmidt and Yasmany Tomas. High-level contributions from the likes of A.J. Pollock, Ender Inciarte, and Jake Lamb have brought balance to the lineup.
Of course, an MVP caliber season from Goldschmidt has helped considerably. The D-backs slugger is having a tremendous season and is on pace to compete for the triple crown.
One area the D-backs will look to improve upon for the second half of the season is pitching. This is the part of the season that has gone according to projections for the D-backs.
A wild bullpen and a rotation with only three consistent starters has contributed to the pitching struggle. Starters Jeremy Hellickson and Rubby De La Rosa have had some good stretches of play, but overall the two have had a rough season.
Here’s the D-backs at the halfway point, by the numbers:
.348
Paul Goldschmidt’s .348 average is the best in the National League. He also leads the National League in walks (66) and is tied for the lead in runs (58).
3
Archie Bradley was the highlight of the beginning of the season, giving up only three runs and seven hits in his first three starts before his injury in late April.
40
This is the tenth time the D-backs have reached the 40-win mark through 81 games in franchise history.
15
The D-backs have fifteen blown saves, the most in MLB.
18
There still has been some discipline from the pitching, as their 18 hit batters are tied for the second fewest in the majors.
12
One of the main storylines of the D-backs has been a failure to reach .500. They are 0-12 when attempting to reach that mark since they were 8-8 on Apr. 24.
379
Despite being only fifteenth in home runs in the majors, the D-backs have still managed 379 runs, the fourth-best mark in MLB.
.993
Chris Owings has the sixth-best fielding percentage among all MLB second baseman at .993.
18
A.J. Pollock’s 18 stolen bases are a career-high. He also has reached career-highs in home runs with ten.
.315
Yasmany Tomas’ .315 average is the second best among all rookies with at least 200 plate appearances.
74
The D-backs’ 74 stolen bases are the second most in MLB
2.65
Chase Anderson had a terrific month of May, accumulating a 2.65 ERA in his six starts.
9
The D-backs have had nine different starting pitchers this season. Those starters were Hellickson, De La Rosa, Anderson, Bradley, Josh Collmenter, Robbie Ray, Allen Webster, Patrick Corbin, and Daniel Hudson.
5.5
As of Monday morning the D-backs are five-and-a-half games back of the lead for the NL West. They are five games back of the NL wildcard.
.987
The D-backs are tied for the third-highest fielding percentage at .987.
