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A couple of nuggets about the team’s winning streak which I discovered late last night.
The Diamondbacks haven't trailed in a game for more than a week. Last time was middle of the 3rd, last Friday's 4-3 win over SF. https://t.co/DlZxDqPaaB
— AZ SnakePit (@AZSnakepit) September 2, 2017
That’s pretty solid, but I was more staggered when I looked at those leads. Because the D-backs have scored in the first inning of each of the last four games, and have not relinquished any of those leads. Or, put another way:
Also, D-backs have led after *every* completed frame since 3rd inning on Sunday. 43 consecutive innings have finished with AZ in the lead!
— AZ SnakePit (@AZSnakepit) September 2, 2017
I have absolutely no way of checking, but I’d have to think that’s close to some kind of record. And updating a stat from yesterday’s preview, here is the line for Arizona’s starters during the winning streak:
D-backs starters: 48.2 IP, 35 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 12 BB, 55 K, 1.85 ERA, 8-0 record
The way Patrick Corbin has pitched of late, I would certainly not be betting against that record going to 9-0. He is 4-0 over his last four starts, including games against two division leaders (Cubs and Astros), with a 0.30 ERA and K:BB of 29:5 in 30.1 innings.
He’ll have some bullpen help as well, with the team adding Jimmy Sherfy to the roster for this game. I am not surprised at all by this, especially after Silvino Bracho basically flunked his September audition last night. It’s one thing to give up hits, but when you walk two of the three batters you face, you are basically asking to be sent to the back of the bullpen, and think about what you did. Sherfy did well in his brief audition, retiring all six batters faced, three by the strikeout. If he performs like that over the last month, we could be looking at a potential set-up man for closer Archie Bradley in 2018. [Though Bradley and Fernando Rodney may have other ideas]
This winning streak is getting to the point where you know you’re going to lose eventually, but just have to hope it isn’t today. Taking this game would send us 5.5 clear of the Rockies, and leave them with a real mountain (hohoho) to climb. Fangraphs has us sitting at 98.9% playoff odds already. I would have been happy to go 4-5 over these three series - win the home one, lose the two road ones, don’t get swept. Four games in, that record is already guaranteed. But why stop there?