by Sean Murphy
Tuesday, Apr 23, 2024We're almost a month into the MLB season so it's a good time to take stock of what we've seen so far and what to expect moving forward. Here's a look at some news and notes from around the diamond entering the final week of April.
Snake-bitten
The Diamondbacks have gotten off to a slow start following their improbable run to the World Series last October. Arizona checks in 11-13 through 24 games with their longest winning streak lasting only two games (they've accomplished that on three occasions). It's hard to pin the Snakes struggles on their offense as they've averaged 5.6 runs per game while recording a respectable .730 OPS. It's been another story for Arizona's pitching staff and the bullpen in particular. Note that Arizona relievers have combined to record a 4.18 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with only four saves converted and six blown. The D'Backs have five games remaining on their current 10-game road trip, following their current stop in St. Louis with a three-game Interleague series in Seattle.
Rocky start
It's setting up as another long season in Denver as the Rockies are off to a miserable 5-18 start. Things have gone from bad to worse over the last week as Colorado has dropped six of its last seven games, averaging a putrid 1.7 runs per contest over that stretch. That's just the tip of the iceberg as the Rockies pitching staff has been as bad as advertised, allowing opposing hitters to record a .368 OBP and an .813 OPS. Through 23 games, the Rockies bullpen has converted just one save. They've only blown a pair of save opportunities but that's only because the majority of their games haven't been close. If it weren't for the fact that they play in one of the nicer ballparks in baseball you have to wonder whether fans would still be willing to pay to watch this long-term losing franchise.
Boston Strong
Not much was expected from the Red Sox this season but so far, so good as they're off to a 13-10 start including six wins in their last nine games. A bullpen that was thought to be one of the weakest in baseball has been a strong point with Boston relievers combining to post a 3.76 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. In fact, the pitching staff as a whole has limited opposing hitters to a .222 batting average and .610 OPS. A three-game series in Cleveland is up next before a six-game Interleague homestand against the Cubs and Giants.
Philly fanatics
We've seen this story play out before with the Phillies proving to be regular season warriors, checking in 15-8 through their first 23 games. The question will always be whether they can thrive in the postseason but that's a story for another day. For now, Philadelphia is red hot, riding a seven-game winning streak into the second game of a four-game set in Cincinnati (it won the opener 7-0). Of note, the Phillies are now 138-107 (+11.4 net games) in their last 245 night games and 67-48 (+12.3 net games) in their last 115 contests against left-handed starting pitchers. They'll face a southpaw in Reds starter Andrew Abbott on Tuesday.
Snake-bitten
The Diamondbacks have gotten off to a slow start following their improbable run to the World Series last October. Arizona checks in 11-13 through 24 games with their longest winning streak lasting only two games (they've accomplished that on three occasions). It's hard to pin the Snakes struggles on their offense as they've averaged 5.6 runs per game while recording a respectable .730 OPS. It's been another story for Arizona's pitching staff and the bullpen in particular. Note that Arizona relievers have combined to record a 4.18 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with only four saves converted and six blown. The D'Backs have five games remaining on their current 10-game road trip, following their current stop in St. Louis with a three-game Interleague series in Seattle.
Rocky start
It's setting up as another long season in Denver as the Rockies are off to a miserable 5-18 start. Things have gone from bad to worse over the last week as Colorado has dropped six of its last seven games, averaging a putrid 1.7 runs per contest over that stretch. That's just the tip of the iceberg as the Rockies pitching staff has been as bad as advertised, allowing opposing hitters to record a .368 OBP and an .813 OPS. Through 23 games, the Rockies bullpen has converted just one save. They've only blown a pair of save opportunities but that's only because the majority of their games haven't been close. If it weren't for the fact that they play in one of the nicer ballparks in baseball you have to wonder whether fans would still be willing to pay to watch this long-term losing franchise.
Boston Strong
Not much was expected from the Red Sox this season but so far, so good as they're off to a 13-10 start including six wins in their last nine games. A bullpen that was thought to be one of the weakest in baseball has been a strong point with Boston relievers combining to post a 3.76 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. In fact, the pitching staff as a whole has limited opposing hitters to a .222 batting average and .610 OPS. A three-game series in Cleveland is up next before a six-game Interleague homestand against the Cubs and Giants.
Philly fanatics
We've seen this story play out before with the Phillies proving to be regular season warriors, checking in 15-8 through their first 23 games. The question will always be whether they can thrive in the postseason but that's a story for another day. For now, Philadelphia is red hot, riding a seven-game winning streak into the second game of a four-game set in Cincinnati (it won the opener 7-0). Of note, the Phillies are now 138-107 (+11.4 net games) in their last 245 night games and 67-48 (+12.3 net games) in their last 115 contests against left-handed starting pitchers. They'll face a southpaw in Reds starter Andrew Abbott on Tuesday.
