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You might have been forgiving for not noticing the D-backs latest winning streak, of eight home victories in a row, because it has taken place over three different home stands and required a little over three weeks. But the team has a chance to complete the sweep of the Padres at Chase this afternoon, and that would come on the heels of similar sweeps over the White Sox, from May 22-24, and the Mets (May 15-17). It would give Arizona their best run at home since 2011, when they managed to win 15 straight at Chase, not losing there for more than a month. After they lost on August 8, they didn't drop another game in Arizona until September 11.
They also had a nine-game winning streak in 2001, and 11-game runs in 2000 and 2003. The last of these was a real offensive outpouring, with the team averaging eight runs per game over that time, and hitting a collective .346/.409/.638 for a 1.047 OPS. Basically, for a month, the entire team turned into Paul Goldschmidt. As a yardstick, despite how well the team has been hitting at home, the current eight game winning streak has averaged a mere 6.5 runs per game, with a team OPS about 180 points lower. Though this run has been impressive in its taco production, with every game seeing Arizona score 5+ runs. That has tied the franchise record for consecutive home tacos.
Interesting line-up today, with Chris Iannetta batting second. It's not actually the first time this has happened in his career: he started one came with Seattle and a pair for the Angels in the two-hole. But it's not normal. The D-backs also made a roster move, with Zack Greinke being placed on the paternity leave list. His spot is being taken by Silvino Bracho. One imagines Greinke will return in time for his next scheduled start, which would be in Detroit on Tuesday. We'll see if the D-backs today can keep up their improved form against left-handed starters: they're now 9-8 over those games, which is a good deal better than the Padres, who sit at 5-10. Counterpoint: Patrick Corbin. We'll see what happens.