2014 Season Report (10 Games)

After 10 games played, things are not looking good for the Diamondbacks. They have played well enough to be 2nd in the NL West, but right now that isn't much to write home about. The Padres are currently the worst team in baseball (2-8), and the Dodgers aren't much better at 4th worst in baseball (tied with St. Louis). For the most part it's hard to read too much into the early results with such a small sample size, but things need to get better fast or the fans are going to start booing.

As expected the Giants are the best team in baseball (8-2) and hold a healthy lead over the sluggish Diamondbacks (4-6) who are in desperate need of a hot streak. The offense and pitching has been disappointing to say the least, with few bright spots (Chris Owings) early in the season.

Owings' play has banished Gregorious to the minors.

Offensive Struggles

The Diamondbacks bats are definitely asleep. The entire roster has managed to muster a single HR, by 1B Paul Goldschmidt, and "slugger" Marc Krauss hasn't managed a single hit in 10 games played. The offense has managed to score runs, and most fans will be shocked to know that Goldschmidt (2) and SS Chris Owings (3) have combined for 5 of the team's 7 stolen bases. Many expect Owings to steal 20 bases, but the team cannot count on Goldschmidt to handle the rest. The biggest offensive disappointment has been CF Peter Bourjos, hitting a soft .227 with 4 runs scored and no stolen bases. Hopefully the trip to Australia is to blame, and the team will settle in as we approach the half-way point of April.

Pitching Disaster

Aside from the stellar Gio Gonzalez (2-0, 11K, 0.75ERA) the pitching staff has been closer to a dumpster fire than a professional rotation. Trevor Cahill lost a close game in his season opener, pitching well but getting no run support, and then followed it up with a real stinker. Cahill managed 3.2 innings while allowing 5ER despite striking out 5 and only walking one batter. The 26 year old is in a contract year and will need to do better if he expects a lengthy deal. Ian Kennedy has rewarded management for bringing him back so far (1-1, 9K, 3.27ERA), if he can keep this up over 200 innings the Diamondbacks can hope for a return to the playoffs. Henderson Alvarez and Lucas Harrell have been bad, and bad is a generous term for what Harrell has done. Harrell opening the season with a 5 run beating in only 3IP, he did strike out 3 but he also walked just as many. If Harrell and Alvarez don't picks things up this team is dead in the water.

The bullpen has been a real mixed bag, but overall it hasn't been a playoff caliber group. CL Jim Johnson has already blown a save, but put things together in his next two outings to record his first save of the season. Joakim Soria has also struggled, giving up 3 runs after briefly taking over the closer duties for one game. The ultimate head-scratcher has been RP Will Harris, who was incredibly solid through two games (3IP, 5K, 0ER), then completely imploded over the next two (1.2IP, 3K, 7ER). If this staff doesn't come together, or suffers another injury, winning games is going to be incredibly difficult.