The Arizona Diamondbacks have established a history of fielding a competitive baseball team every other MLB season, but it appears that pattern will come to an end in 2010. Arizona finished in last place last season, and is currently in last place half through this season. Arizona Diamondbacks tickets are typically for at least a decent team at Chase Field, but fans following their favorite baseball club on the road witness a dreadful team with almost no chance of winning.
The pitching is abysmal on the road and at home, but the Diamondbacks possess one of the most potent home run-scoring machines in the National League. The opportunity to compete for the NL West crown is fast coming to an end, but if this group can put together a Rockies like roll, then Arizona could at least jump a few standing spots.
Arizona is not a contact team. When they score, they score with hits that drive up their slugging percentage. Six players have double digit homerun totals. Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds is perhaps the best example of the offense. He is hitting a paltry .215 with a borderline awful .331 OBP, but has driven 20 balls out of the ballpark and has 56 RBI to his credit.
The best overall offensive player on the baseball team is centerfielder Chris Young. Young is hitting .268 with a .340 OBP, 16 homeruns, a team-leading 62 RBI, 51 runs, and 17 stolen bases. Right fielder Justin Upton has similar numbers.
At one time, the Arizona Diamondbacks were mentioned as one of the best pitching staffs in MLB. Those times have undoubtedly passed. The best starter is Ian Kennedy. Kennedy is 4-7, but has a rotation-best 4.12 ERA. The closest starter has an ERA of 4.60. A new starter has worked his way into the rotation though. Twenty-four-year-old Barry Enright has just three games under his belt, but has a 3.45 ERA. His 1.34 WHIP seems to signal the eventual ballooning of that ERA number, but he at least gives the fans something to hope for when he takes the mound.
The bullpen is perhaps a bigger problem for interim manager Kirk Gibson. Beyond a barely adequate performance by Aaron Heilman, the pen is filled to the brim with ERAs above 5.00. Even the original designated closer Chad Qualls has an 8.33 ERA. He has since been relegated to setup man and the Diamondbacks have begun a search for a pitcher with the confidence and stuff to close out games.
