Playing the Dodgers was a challenge. Despite the challenge, some statistics provide insights to the remainder of the season.
The Positive Statistics.
The Diamondbacks were up to the challenge of playing the Dodgers. They lost the last two games by only 1 run. In each of those games, the game-deciding run was scored in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Batting.
Alek Thomas’ 3 RBIs leads the team. Perhaps this season will be a long awaited breakout season for him at the plate.
In the first two games, Perdomo continued his breakout from last season. He hit a homer! He continued to challenge opposing pitchers, with an average of 3.833 pitches per PA. More details:
- Before the third game, when he put two balls in play on the first pitch, his average was 4.375 pitches per PA.
- As a point of reference, last season his average was 4.176 pitches per PA.
- His 19.0% O-Swings was about the same as last season’s 19.2% O-Swings.
- His 14.3% Whiffs was equivalent to one whiff higher than last season.
Pitching.
In this series, the Diamondbacks held the Dodgers scoreless in the first two innings. Great first innings can set the tone for each game.
Eduardo Rodriguez pitched five innings without allowing an earned run. After this start, he has pitched two consecutive starts against the Dodgers with zero earned runs. Perhaps he is kryptonite to the Dodgers.
In this series, six bullpen pitchers made scoreless appearances. Loaisiga and Thompson each did it twice. The others were Hoffman, Morillo, Ross, and Sewald.
Mostly great defense with runners on base. In this series, the Dodgers stranded 15 runners on base (7 were in scoring position). The Diamondbacks made 2 errors. The first error led to an extra base, but that runner did not score a run. The second error allowed an extra baserunner, who unfortunately scored a run after a stolen base and a hit. In addition, Lawlar made a great catch despite his very limited experience in the outfield.
The Negative Statistics.
Batting.
In this series, Diamondbacks batters had 5.4 strikeouts per walk. That compares poorly to their last season, which had 2.4 strikeouts per walk.
After overcoming a sore elbow, Pavin Smith played in two games. His only hit was a single. At least it earned him an RBI. Now, he is on the injured list with elbow inflammation.
How many games until Corbin Carrol gets an extra-base hit? [Answer: In the first game of the Tigers series, he hit a triple and a homer!]
Pitching.
In the first two games, Diamondbacks starting pitchers allowed 4 runs per game. On the other hand, I’m confident they will pitch better when not facing the Dodgers.
Bullpen pitcher Taylor Clarke has an ERA of 108.00. That statistic can only get better.
Baserunning.
In the first game, Geraldo Perdomo got caught stealing (although successfully stole a base in the third game). Also, Jordan Lawlar got caught off second base on a line drive. These two outs were not necessarily due to bad baserunning. But game two was a different story.
In the second game, two Diamondbacks were called out on attempted extra bases. First was Alek Thomas attempting to score from first base on an Alex Thomas double. Second was Alek Thomas over-slid third base when he attempting to stretch a double into a triple. Although the Diamondbacks rank high on extra bases, knowing when to make the attempts is part of that strength.
“We’ve got to figure that out. We run the bases very aggressively. We made an inning-and-a-third of outs in two games. That’s not D-back baseball. We take advantage of the right situations and advance 90 feet.” — Torey Lovullo
Summary.
Three players with breakout performances:
- Geraldo Perdomo continued his breakout from last season.
- Alek Thomas with 3 RBIs.
- Eugenio Rodriguez allowed zero earned runs in 5 innings.
Two red flags:
- Strikeouts per walk.
- Baserunning.
COVERS INTEL: Although the Astros placed 15th in the majors in OPS (.714) last year, three-time All-Stars 
