The Arizona Diamondbacks started their season so promising. They won their first four games and looked every bit the part of a team that would be a World Series contender, as many national writers had predicted coming into the season. However, that success came to a grinding halt, and their season's promise as well.
↵Entering the game Monday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team's stats at Chase Field after their first four games pale when compared to how they started the year.
↵After winning their first four at home, they have managed just three more wins in their next 16 games, including Monday night.
↵Their offense has dropped off. After averaging 5.5 runs in their first four, they dropped their run production to 3.4 per game in their next 15. Their batting average fell from .258 to .237. Losing Chris Young to injury definitely affected that, but no one stepped up after he got hurt.
↵Their pitching also suffered. After an ERA by the pitching staff of 3.50 in the first four, the runs allowed have increased by two a game, as the team ERA in their following 15 was 5.53.
↵In other words, everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. The pitching got worse, the hitting declined and key players (Chris Young, Daniel Hudson) got hurt. Plus, the bullpen has not been great.
↵The result of that combination? an overall 7-13 record at home, compared to 12-11 away from Chase Field.
↵That's just not going to get it done.
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