Preview, #28: 4/27 vs. Cubs

The last time the Diamondbacks won six in a row was August-September 2017, part of an overall thirteen-game winning streak which was the best in franchise history. While Arizona has some way to go (obviously) to match that, the current run is in the top ten for best run differential over a five-game span. The D-backs have scored 38 runs and conceded only 10, a +28 figure. There has only been one superior streak since the end of the 2009 season: again. that came in the Aug/Sep 2017 run. In particular, from Aug 31-Sep 4, Arizona won games by margins of 8-1, 9-5, 6-2, 5-1 and 13-0. for a total of 41 runs scored compared to just nine allowed, a +32 differential.

Overall this year, the D-backs +29 is the best run differential in the National League, which is startling considering how hard the April schedule looked coming in. With three games left, Arizona can now go now worse than 16-14 through the end of April. As Jack wrote about the schedule, “If they manage to navigate the first 6 weeks of the season at .500 or better, the schedule does level out a bit going forward and they might just be looking to add some pieces.” Now, there’s still time for, say, a lengthy losing streak to crop up, and we saw last year that a hot start doesn’t necessarily translate into long-term viability. But considering the attitude of some fans after the first weekend e.g. the infamous “This team stinks so much that it smells like acid,” Fanpost, this has been a heck of a reversal.

Of course, if we’re to extend the winning streak, we will have to spin the Wheel O’ Godley and see where about it (and he) lands. Last time out, was definitely a regression to bad Godley, Zack lasting just four innings, and needing 98 pitches for that, with a season-high four walks and two strikeouts. Fortunately, he was bailed out by the offense, who scored a dozen runs in Pittburgh, and Arizona kicked off this winning streak with a 12-4 victory. Right now, it’s probably Godley on the hot seat at the back of the rotation, for when Taijuan Walker returns later this year. He has the highest ERA and FIP, and if he doesn’t get himself sorted out, then conversion to a long reliever may be the eventual solution.